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THE BOYS m WHITE; 

THE 

EXPERIENCE 

A HOSPITAL AGEN^T 

IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. 



BY JULIA S. WHEELOCK, 



*' Whether on the tented field. 
Or in the battle's van, 
The fittest place for man to die 
Is where he clieb for man." 



NEW YORK: 

FRT]SPTEX> BY H.AN&E & ECILLIMAN, 
STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 20t PEARL ST., 

NEAU MAIDEN LANK. 

1870. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 

JULIA S. WHEELOCK, 

In the Clerk's Office of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. 



0^ 



Printed by Lanqk & Hillmaw, 

207 Pearl Street, 

Near Maiden Lane, N. Y. 



PREFACE. 



From September, 1862, to July, 1865, I was in the 
hospitals in and around Washington. I kept a journal 
of my experience, portions of which appear in this 
volume. The journal was kept for my personal benefit, 
and not for publication. Much of it was w^ritten late at 
night, when so wearied by excessive labor, anxiety, and 
excitement, that I would not unfrequently fall asleep 
with the pen in my hand. I often sat upon a box or 
some rude bench, and held my book on my lap as I 
wrote, and now this journal, condensed, is thrown into 
the lap of the public and of my friends, who have ear- 
nestly requested that **The Boys in White " may be em- 
balnied, as well as the "Boys in Blue." My object in 
going South was to help care for a wounded brother. 
When I left home I expected to remain only until he be- 
came able to travel ; but, upon arriving in Alexandria, 
we found that death had already done its work. A lit- 
tle mound of earth in the soldier's cemetery marked the 
spot where that dear, alniost idolized brother slept, and 



VI PTIEFACE. 

thus oiir bright hopes and fond anticipations were sud- 
denly and forever blighted. I resolved to remain and 
endeavor, God being my helper, to do for others as I fain 
would have done for my dear brother. A field of labor 
soon presented itself which I most gladly entered. Jus- 
tice to our noble soldiers demands that I should here 
state that, during my hospital and army experience of 
nearly three years, I was uniformly treated with the ut- 
most courtesy and respect. I know it was thought and 
even said by some, that a lady could not be associated 
with the army without losing her standard of moral ex- 
cellence. I pity those who have such a low estimate of 
the moral worth and true nobility of the soldier. 

I have sometimes been asked if I did not feel afraid 
when in the midst of so many soldiers. I can truthfully 
say that I never knew what fear was when in the army, 
for I felt that every noble boy in blue was my brother 
and protector. What cause had one to fear, when brave, 
heroic hearts and strong arms were ever ready to defend ? 

Any one, during war's dark hours, whose missio^n was 
to do good, was almost an object of worship by those so 
wholly excluded from home influences. For, if there 
ever was a time when the better angel of their nature 
guarded the citadel of their hearts, it was in the pres- 
ence of woman — when she was a true i-epresentative of 
what that sacred word implies. 

I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks 
to the officers of the " Michigan Relief Association," 



PREFACE. Vll 

with which I was connected, for their kindness and for- 
bearance; to our military State agents, Dr. J. Tunne- 
cliff and Rev. D. E. Willard, to whom I never appealed 
in vain for aid or counsel ; also to military agents of 
other States, and to the officers and agents of various 
" State Reliefs," We were greatly indebted to the 
Christian Commission for large supplies which we fre- 
quently drew from their stores, and for occasional drafts 
on the Sanitary Commission. Officers of the Govern- 
ment, and hospital officials, as a rule, were kind and 
obliging. Our thanks are also due to our Congressmen 
and other Michigan gentlemen residing in Washington, 
Avho w^ere ever ready to assist us in our work. 

That this little volume may be the means of renewing 
the acquaintance and of strengthening the friendship of 
tliose who labored together in this blessed work, as well 
as of the soldiers themselves, is the earnest desire of my 
heart. If this shall be the result, I shall feel that I have 
not written in vain. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE 



CHAPTER L 

RETROSPECT — HOME-LEAVING — LAKE ERIE — ALLEGHANIES— ACCI- 
DENT — AVASHINGTON— PROVOST MARSHAL — THE PRESENTI- 
MENT—BLIGHTED HOPES— ORVILLE WHEELOCK— MY BRO- 
THER'S GRAVE. 

Alexandria, Va., Oct 1, 1862. 

Well, here I am, strange as it seems, in the rebel- 
lious city of Alexandria! Alone, among strangers, 
hundreds of miles from home and kindred, surrounded 
by scenes new and strange ; scenes of sadness, of suf- 
figring, of death. 

As I look over the past, it does not seem possible 
that only three weeks have elapsed since leaving 
home. Oh ! what a lifetime one may live in a very 
short period, when it is measured by heart-throbs 
instead of years. While retrospect! ng, memory goes 
back to the morning of the 10th of the month just 
closed. Its dawn is calm and beautiful ! Nine 



10 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

o'clock finds me in the old red school-house in the 
township of Ionia, Michigan, where are assembled the 
rural children and youth for instruction. All are joy- 
ous and happy. Three days more and the term will 
close. This day promises to end as it began, full of 
joy and gladness — yet, knowing that the fearful bat- 
tles of Bull Kun and Chantilly had recently been 
fought, we were anxiously waiting for tidings from 
the loved one who had gone to battle for the " dear 
old flag," and, if need be, die to maintain its honor. 
But the interval that had elapsed since the occur- 
rence of those bloody conflicts gave no reason to hope 
that 0U7' soldier brother was safe. Nor voice, nor 
spirit, nor sighing wind, nor playful breeze, told of 
the future. But time on rapid wing approached with 
tidings the most heart-crushing. A child is made 
the bearer of the sad message. 

About three o'clock, while engaged in hearing a 
recitation, there is a gentle tap at the door — a little 
girl steps upon the threshold ; her eyes are red with 
weeping, and, in great agitation, she says: "Orville 
is wounded ; his limb is amputated. He has sent for 
Anna, and she starts for Washington to-morrow ! " 
My womanly heart said, that " Orville Wheelock, my 
brother, must not suffer alone. I will accompany 
Anna to Washington." 

The dawn of the morning of the 11th was calm 



I 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 11 

and peaceful, but to us every breeze seemed laden 
with sighs from some stricken heart. Little Minnie 
gathered a bouquet of flowers to send to "dear 
papa," and every blossom was a wish that he might 
come home. At nine o'clock sister and I bade adieu 
to friends, and in Ionia village we were joined by 
Mrs. Peck, the sister of my brother's wife, who was 
starting to Washington to care for her wounded hus- 
band. Off at two o'clock. Soon the enterprising 
little town of Ionia is lost in the distance. Familiar 
objects fade from our view, and all becomes new and 
strange — as this is my first ride over the Detroit and 
Milwaukee Eailroad. The scenery is rather monot- 
onous along the line of the road — the country most 
of the way being new — though every few miles we 
pass thriving little villages which have sprung up 
within a few years as if by magic, and which north- 
ern industry and enterprise will soon convert into 
fine cities, and those dismal swamps and marshes into 
beautiful meadow lands. At Detroit we take the 
steamer " May Queen," bound for Cleveland. The 
evening is delightful. The stars one by one shine 
forth from the blue canopy above, and their gentle 
light is reflected from the blue expanse below; and 
while we gaze, the full-orbed moon emerges from 
the waters, and, " blending her silvery light with that 
of her sister stars," adds new lustre to the scene. 



12 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

At eight o'clock we leave the shores of Michigan, 
and are soon plowing our way through the blue 
waters of Lake Erie. How pleasantly and quickly 
would have passed the hours of that long night, 
were it not for the sad mission upon which we 
were going. The battle-field with its thousands of 
mangled forms, the dead and the dying, and all the 
horrors connected with such scenes of carnage, are 
spread out before us. These, with the conflicting 
hopes and fears, which alternately take possession of 
our hearts, banish '* tired nature's sweet restorer, 
balmy sleep." 

We land in Cleveland at 5 A. M., purchase tick- 
ets for Washington via Philadelphia. After four 
weary hours of waiting, we find ourselves comfortably 
seated in the cars, and are hurried on toward our 
destination. We arrive at Pittsburg at 2 P. M., 
where we change cars, and hasten away, leaving the 
dingy, smoke- wreathed city in the distance. 

As we approach the Alleghanies, the scenery be- 
comes picturesque and grand, often approaching the 
sublime. Those mountain ranges with their lofty 
peaks towering heavenward, those rocky cliffs and 
deep gorges, those long tunnels through which we 
pass, where in a moment midnight darkness succeeds 
to the brightness of noon, producing feelings — one 
might imagine — akin to a sudden exchange of worlds. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 13 

While passing through these tunnels an almost 
breathless silence prevaits — scarce a whisper is heard 
until we again emerge into the light. Next we de- 
scribe a semi-circle around a sharp curve ; then we 
pass through some deep cut-across valleys, where now 
and then we catch a glimpse of some little town with 
its long rows of white- washed buildings, nestled cosily 
at the foot of the mountains. New objects appear 
for a moment and are gone, until at length the day 
wears away, and night drops her sable curtain o'er the 
scene. 

We pass Harrisburg in the night, so we have not 
even a glimpse of the capital of the old Keystone 
State. All is hushed and still ; we have just com- 
posed ourselves for a little sleep, when suddenly there 
is a crashing and jarring which throws many from 
their seats ; but in a few moments all is explained — 
the cars are off the track. The first thought is, that 
some villainous "Keb" had placed obstructions on 
the track, but the truth is soon known : an innocent 
horse is the cause of the accident, and " Johnny Keb " 
is for once wrongfully accused. 

No one seriously hurt ; only a few moments' delay ; 
the passengers are^crowded into the few remaining 
cars, and we are soon on our way again, leaving the 
poor horse on both sides of the track. Yie arrive in 
PhiladelDhia at four A. M., where we wait for the 



14 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

eleven o'clock train to Baltimore. We saw but little 
of the city. Being very tired, and having our minds 
constantly occupied with anxious thoughts and fear- 
ful forebodings, we felt no desire for sight-seeing. 

The seven long hours we have to wait at length 
wear away, and once more we find ourselves hurrying 
on toward the monumental city, where we arrive 
about three P. M. The bloody scene which transpired 
in the streets of this great and beautiful city, the 19th 
of April, 1861, came fresh to memory. It was here 
the loyal blood of Massachusetts' patriot sons was 
first shed — not, however, by a manly foe, but by a 
furious, disgraceful mob, which mad riot incited to 
deeds of violence and blood. But, oh! what thou- 
sands since then have fallen, and still the sword is 
unsheathed! We would adopt the language of the 
Psalmist : " How long, Lord, how long shall the 
wicked triumph ? " 

After a short delay, once more the shrill whistle is 
heard, and again we are moving on toward the na- 
tion's capital, where we arrive in good time. The 
first object that attracts our attention is that magnifi- 
cent building — the Capitol. But, as it is getting late, 
■we engage a hack, and go directly to Columbian Hos- 
pital in search of Mr. Peck, having learned that he 
was there ; but to the great disappointment of us all, 
and especially of his poor wife, we found that he had 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 15 

been sent only the day before to Point Lookout, and, 
it being impossible for her to procure transportation 
to that place, the hope of seeing him had to be aban- 
doned. Oh, how trying, after travelling three weary 
days with a babe in her arms, to be just one day too 
late. Too late ! How significant and full of meaning 
those little words I How many have been one day 
too late, and no hope of a re-union on earth ! It 
now being too late to go to Alexandria — the boats 
having already stopped running — the fond hope of 
seeing the dear husband and brother that day had to 
be given up. Oh, how could we remain even for 
one night with only the Potomac between us and the 
dear object of our search ! What if this should be 
his last night on earth ? What if his released spirit 
should take its everlasting flight ere the dawn of an- 
other day ? How could we say, '* Thy will be done " ? 
But there is no alternative. We must wait. 

On our way to Columbian Hospital we passed thou- 
sands of our soldiers, some of them apparently having 
recently arrived — judging from their clean uniforms — 
while others had evidently seen hard service, looking 
worn and tired, and well-nigh discouraged. We con- 
cluded that they belonged to Pope's grand army, 
which had so recently retreated from the disastrous 
battle-field of Bull Run. We wondered how such 
numbers could have been defeated. To us, having 



16 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

never before seen more than a single regiment at a 
time, it was a vast army. We began to realize that 
we had a mighty foe to contend with, and as we look- 
ed upon those war-scarred heroes — heroes, notwith- 
standing the retreat — we could not help repeating to 
ourselves : " Poor boys, how little you or we know 
what lies before us ; there may be many battles to 
be fought, and, perhaps, some more inglorious retreats. 
Many of you will see home and friends no more; your 
final resting-place will be upon Southern soil.'* 

Early next morning we hastened to the Provost 
Marshal's office to obtain passes for Alexandria. Ar- 
riving at the office, hope almost dies within us, for we 
see this notice: "No passes granted on Sunday." 
What is to be done, now? Shall we retrace our steps, 
and wait another twenty-four hours in such terrible 
suspense ? No, we resolved not to leave until an effort 
had been made, and the last argument exhausted in 
setting forth the justice of our claim. We entered the 
office, found it already filled with applicants, saw one 
after another as they applied and were refused. 
Tremblingly we crowd our way to the Marshal's 
chair, and with the greatest respect, and more defer- 
ence than is meet should be paid to mortals, request 
passes to Alexandria. He straightens himself up, and 
with the cold dignity of a prince, replies : "Don't you 
know we don't give passes on Sunday? Why do 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 17 

you ask us to violate orders ? " Still acting as spokes- 
man, I inquired : " Will no circumstances justify you 
in granting a pass to-day ? " " Well, what are the cir- 
cumstances,'' said he, in the same stern manner. Our 
story was briefly told, after which, with some hesita- 
tion, and watching us closely to see whether we were 
deceiving him, he directed them to be made out. Oh, 
what a load was that moment lifted from our hearts ! 
Those little strips of paper, how precious ! With tears 
of gratitude we left the office, and immediately started 
for the boat landing, and were soon on the steamer 
"James Guy," and off for Alexandria, eight miles 
down the river. How delightful, had we been on a 
pleasure excursion I Scenes and scenery so entirely 
new! The forts along the river, with those iron- 
throated monsters looking defiantly upon us, almost 
causing one to shrink back with terror, were a great 
curiosity. The beautiful residence of Gen. Robert E. 
Lee, now his no longer — having been forfeited by trea- 
son — on Arlington heights, half hidden amid stately 
forest trees and luxuriant evergreens, was pointed out 
to us ; also the Washington Navy Yard, the Arsenal 
and the Insane Asylum. But what attracts our atten- 
tion more than all else, are the multitudes of soldiers 
with their snowy tents skirting the banks on either 
side of the river, and extending back as far as the eye 
can reach, covering every hill-side and every valley, 



18 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

'whicli, with the desolate appearance of the country, 
remind us that we are in the presence of war. 

Soon the ancient city of Alexandria — ancient in 
American history — heaves in sight. It presents a 
gloomy, dingy, dilapidated appearance. As we set 
foot upon the "sacred soil," we experience quickened 
heart-beatings, for we know that this terrible suspense 
will soon give place to, it may be, a dreadful reality. 
As we pass up King street we pause a moment to 
look at the building where the brave young Ellsworth 
fell, drop a tear to his memory, and hasten on. Turn- 
ing from King into Washington street, we notice a 
soldier in full uniform with a shouldered musket, 
pacing to and fro in front of what appeared to be a 
church. We are told by the guard that it is the 
Southern M. E. Church, but now used for a hospital. 
We enter the building, make known the object of our 
visit, but find he is not there. My poor sister could 
go no farther ; she seemed to have a presentiment that 
her worst fears were about to be realized. " Oh ! " 
she says, "his wound is fatal, for he came to me in 
my dreams only a few nights since, looking worn and 
pale and haggard, having lost a limb in battle, and 
seemed to say, ' My work is done, I'm weary and must 
rest.' " She felt that his work luas done, and if so, 
well done, having " fought the good fight and kept 
the faith," and that he had gone to receive the crown. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 19 

And yet, amid these consoling reflections, thouglits of 
her own desolation and the great loss she would sus- 
tain if her fears were realized, would rush upon her 
with an overwhelming force, crushing out life's bright 
hopes, while the language of her heart was, "Who 
will care for the fatherless now ? " — forgetting for the 
time the promise of Grod, "Leave thy fatherless chil- 
dren with me and I will preserve them alive." We 
tried to comfort her, saying we should soon have him 
with us; that one so strong, physically, would cer- 
tainly survive the amputation of a limb ; and, bidding 
her be of good cheer, Mrs. Peck and I hastened to the 
next hospital — the Lyceum Hall — but to our anxious 
inquiry met with the same reply as before. We cross 
the street to the Baptist church, which is also used 
for a hospital, our fears every moment increasing. 
Happening to look back before entering this hospital, 
to the one we had just left, we saw some one beckon- 
ing to us to return. Hope began to revive ; we hur- 
ried back and were told he was there, and doing well, 
though still very weak. Our informant asked us if 
we would see him ? " No," we replied, " not until we 
have informed his wife," requesting him in the mean- 
time to try and prepare his mind to see her, cautioning 
him to break the news very carefully, fearing that the 
excitement might prove injurious to one so weak. 
Having given these instructions, I left Mrs. P., and 



20 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

hurried back with a light heart and a quick step to 
the hospital where my sister was waiting in such 
agony of suspense. She heard my voice before reach- 
ing the hospital, exclaiming at almost every step: 
" I've found him I I've found him I Oh, Anna, come 
quickly I " I did not realize that I was in the streets 
of a city, attracting the notice of passers-by, nor did I 
much care, for a deep anxiety and long days of sus- 
pense had given place to joyful hopes and sweet an- 
ticipations. 

She rose to accompany me, hesitated a moment, and 
then sank back upon her seat, and with a look almost 
of despair, says: "Juha, are you sure^ have you seen 
him ? " I assured her, that though I had not seen 
him, there could be no mistake, for they certainly 
would not have said he was there, had he not been. 
Thus reassured she rose the second time, took my arm, 
and we started. We had gone but a few steps when 
our ears were saluted with the sad and mournful tones 
of the fife and muffled drum, and on looking back we 
saw a soldier's funeral procession approaching — a 
scene I had never before witnessed, but one with 
which I was destined to become familiar. How un- 
like a funeral at home ! No train of weeping friends 
follow his bier ; yet one of our country's heroes, one 
of the " boys in white," lies in that plain coffin. He 
is escorted to his final resting-place by perhaps a 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. ' 21 

dozen comrades, who go with unfixed bayonets, and 
arms reversed, keeping time with their slow tread to 
the solemn notes of the " Dead March," plaintively 
executed by some of their number. 

"Aye I follow Ms corpse to its last long rest. 
With the fife and muffled drum ; 
It is meet that he should be honored thus. 
Who a soldier's work has done." 

The tear of sympathy unbidden starts at the sight 
of the "unknown," and for the bereaved friends who 
weep in far off homes. In a few minutes we are at 
the Lyceum Hospital where, instead of the realization 
of our hopes, heart-rending tidings await us. He 
who, but a few moments before, was the beare'r of such 
good news, again makes his appearance ; but why is 
his countenance so sad? His own words will tell. 
"I was mistaken, he is not here;" but something 
either in his tone or manner indicated that he had 
been there, and at the same moment we all inquired : 
" Oh, whom is he ? " *' He is dead! " was the reply. 
Oh, that terrible word—" dead I " How suddenly it 
blighted our fond hopes, and turned our anticipated 
joy into the deepest grief. 

.- From the hospital we were conducted to the Rev. 
Mr. Reid's, my poor sister being carried in an almost 
senseless condition, where we spent a sleepless night 



22 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

brooding over our sorrow and shedding the unavail- 
ing tear. Oh ! that never-to-be-forgotten day ! 
A day not only of bright, but blighted hopes, a day 
of mourning, of sadness and bereavement, a day that 
revealed to an anxious wife that she was a widow and 
her children fatherless; a day that said to my sad 
heart, " Thy brother has fallen." He died like thou- 
sands of others, far from home and friends, with no 
loved kindred near. But God had sent an angel of 
mercy in human form — that noble girl. Miss Clara F. 
Jones, of Philadelphia — to watch over and administer 
to his wants. She watched him day by day as he 
grew weaker, she stood beside him in his dying mo- 
ments, held his icy hand in hers, wiped the death dew 
from his brow, received his last message for his wife 
and child, and, when life had fled, prepared him as far 
as she could for his burial. Such are her daily duties. 
May God reward her with the rich blessing of his love. 
My brother was one of those with whom religion 
was a vital principal. He heeded the injunction of 
the Saviour, " Go work in my vinej^ard." And when 
the tocsin of war was sounded, and there was a call 
for volunteers, he committed all to God, and cheerful- 
ly responded to that call and hastened to the rescue of 
his imperilled country, and, Avhile battling for freedom 
and humanity, he felt that he was fighting for God, 
and that he was still iu his Master's service. 



1 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 23 

The night of his death Mr. Reid spent the evening 
with him, speaking words of comfort and Christian 
consolation. But to the dying saint death had no 
terror, for " his anchor was cast within the veil," and 
"that anchor holds." He could adopt the sweet 
words of the poet : 

"Father! tlie pearly gates unfold, 
The sapphire walls, the streets of gold 

Are bursting on my sight; 
The angel bands come singing down, 
And one has got my starry crown 

And one my robe of white." 

The morning of the 15th, sister Anna and I, accom- 
panied by Rev. Mr. Reid and wife, Miss Jones and 
Chaplain Gage, visited brother's grave. Oh! how 
could we realize, as we stood by that little, narrow, 
turfless mound, that dear Orville lay there? His 
poor heart-broken widow threw herself upon his 
grave and gave vent to her deep grief in sobs and bit- 
ter tears. Nearly three hundred brave "boys in 
white" lay side by side in the same enclosure, with 
not even a stone to mark the place where they were 
sleeping, nor a spear of grass growing upon their 
graves, simply buried out of sight; but each little 
mound is cherished, oh, how sacredly by some one ! 

Night winds are mournfully sweeping. 
Whispering oak- branches wave 



24 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Where your loved ashes are sleeping". 

Forms of the true and the brave 5 
Silence reigns breathless around you. 

All your stern conflicts are o'er; 
Deep in the sleep that hath bound you, 

Trumpet shall rouse you no more. 

Sweet and serene be your slumbers! 

Hearts for whose freedom ye bled, 
Millions whom no man can number, 

Tears of sad gratitude shed. 
Never shall morn brightly breaking 

Enter your chambers of gloom. 
Till the last trumpet awaking, 

Sounds through the depth of the gloom. 

We returned to Mr. E.'s, feeling tliat the grave was a 
poor place to go for consolation in times of affliction ; 
but there is comfort in the promise, "Thy brother 
shall rise again." If you ask where my brother shall 
rise, I reply : " The scene of his death and burial is 
to be the scene of hia resurrection." " How beauti- 
ful the thought, that, when the trumpet sounds, the 
dead shall come forth from the spot whereon they 
fell. The sailor who found a watery grave will 
emerge from his long deep resting-place ; the warrior 
who fell npon the battle-field will rise side by side 
with him who was slain by his hand, their feuds all 
ended." 

*' Whole families will stand together on some green 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 25 

spot whicli they have adorned with care ; brother and 
sister will rise side by side, and long parted friends 
will re-unite." 

" They will rise to enjoy all that angels feel of the 
celestial love and peace, to swell the anthem of the 
redeemed, which, beginning upon the outer ranks of 
the hosts of Grod, rolls inward, growing deeper and 
louder until it gathers and breaks in one full deep 
symphony of praise around the throne." "Worthy is 
the Lamb who was slain, to receive honor, and power, 
and glory, and dominion for ever and ever ! " 

Viewed in this light, what a glorious idea the 
resurrection is! How does it destroy the fear of 
death, and take away the dark appearance of the 
grave I 



26 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER IL 



MR. REID— LOYAL FRIENDS— VISIT TO THE LYCEUM— HOSPITAL — 
MISS JONES — LIEUTENANT STEVENSON— THE DECISION — 
FRIENDS— RETURN— THE FIRST WOUNDED— APPOINTMENT 
AS AGENT — FAIRFAX SEMINARY— HOSPITAL OF THE FIRST 
MICHIGAN CAVALRY — NEW SCENES — FIRST HOSPITAL WORK. 

Our kind host and liis excellent lady were untir- 
ing in their efforts to give consolation. We found 
them to be the most devoted friends of the soldiers, 
and the purest patriots of which our country can boast. 
They had been driven from their home in Martins- 
burg, Va., where Mr. Reid was preaching, and were 
refugees for several months, Mr. R barely escaping 
with his life. They know full well what it costs to 
be loyal to the flag of their country in these peril- 
ous times, having sacrificed everything but life itself 
in its defence. When treason became so bold and 
threatening that he no longer dare pray, as had 
been his wont, for the President of the United 
States and his advisers, he would pray for those in 
authority, " and the Lord knew," he says, " I did 
not mean Jeff. Davis." Their sacrifice and sufferings 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 27 

have only made the fires of loyalty bum with an 
intenser heat upon the altat of their hearts. 

The second day after onr arrival, Chaplain Ander- 
son, of the Third Michigan Volunteers, called to see 
us ; also, some of the good loyal ladies of the city 
— of whom I am sorry to learn there are so few — 
and extended their kind sympathy. We felt very 
grateful to those dear friends: we did not expect to 
find so much true sympathy among strangers. But, 
oh ! they could not heal the wound that death had 
made. 

Sept. IQth. 

To-day we visited the Lyceum Hospital, where so 
recently dear Orville took his leave of earth. Only 
a few days ago he was among the sufferers there; 
now he is forever at rest. The hospital is full of 
the wounded from the late battles, suffering, oh, so 
much, and yet so patiently ! There are many others 
upon whom Death has already set his seal, and whose 
places will soon be vacant, or occupied by others. 
Oh, how I long to stay and go to work for them! 
Perhaps I might be the means of saving somebody's 
husband or brother. 

This hospital was in a most wretched condition 
until the advent of Miss Jones, under whose wise 
management and untiring efforts it has greatly im- 



i28 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



proved. Everything that woman can do will be 
done by her for her " boys," as she calls them. She 
is indeed an angel of mercy to those poor sufferers. 
Mrs. May, wife of Chaplain May, of the Second 
Michigan, called on us this afternoon. She is one 
of those who has a heart to sympathize with the 
afflicted everywhere. 

During the day we have had some business to 
attend to concerning my deceased brother's effects 
and back pay. But now, as the shades of another 
night draw around us, and all is hushed and still, 
what thronging memories come ! How keen, how 
intense the agony of mind under God's afflictive 
dispensations, and how hard at such times, without 
large supplies of grace, to say from the heart, " Even 
so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight!" 



Sept. 17 th, 
This morning we took leave of our kind host 
and lady, the dear Miss Jones, and other friends, 
and, with one long, lingering look at that hospi- 
tal, around which, to us, a sacred solemnity still 
lingers, hastened to the wharf and took the first 
boat to "Washington. We had scarcely landed, when 
a fine-looking officer approached us, and extended his 
hand to my sister, inquiring at the same time, 
" Did you find your husband ? '* She could make 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 29 

no reply ; there was no need of words, he understood 
it all. We soon recognized the countenance of Lieu- 
tenant Stevenson, of the Second Michigan Volun- 
teers, with whom we fell in company on our way to 
Washington. In a moment he is gone, and we see 
him no more; but the earnest solicitude of the 
stranger to know whether our fond hopes were real- 
ized, and his kind sympathy in our affliction, will 
long be cherished as one of the pleasant remem- 
brances of this sad journey. And we will pray God 
to watch over and protect him and return him in 
safety to his dear family. But should he fall amid 
the din of battle, or become a victim to disease, may 
kind hands administer to his wants, and loving, sym- 
pathizing friends comfort the bereaved widow and 
orphans. We engage a room for the night at Mr. 
Treadway's, a family formerly from Detroit, now re- 
siding at No. 541 H Street (which has since become 
noted as the place where that dark assassination 
plot was concocted which robbed the nation of its 
chosen leader), and then call to see Hon. J. M. Ed- 
munds, President of the Michigan Soldiers' Eelief 
Association, to learn what was necessary to be done 
in order to secure a pension for my sister. He re- 
ceived us kindly, and gave us the desired informa- 
tion. 

My mind is at length made up to remain, and 



30 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

engage in the work of caring for the sick and 
wounded, as my desire to do so has increased with 
every day and almost every hour since our arrival. 
I am also encouraged to do so by Mrs. Brainard, 
an agent of the Michigan Association, boarding at 
this place. 

Sept. 18ih. 

Sister Anna and Mrs. Peck started for Michigan 
this morning. One week ago to-day, we left home 
for this city. Oh ! what bitter experiences, what 
anxious fears, what terrible suspense, what dreadful 
realities have been ours in this one short week! 
As I bade my sister "good-by" at the cars, she 
exclaimed, " Oh, Julia I How can I return to my 
children without their father? Their injunction, 
*Be sure and bring papa home with you,' still 
rings in my ears." My heart was too heavily 
burdened to reply; the train moved on; I retraced 
my steps, and have spent the remainder of the day 
in my room lonely and sad, reflecting upon the past 
and trying to penetrate the future. 

A few days after my sister's arrival home, in- 
stead of joy and gladness, the friends meet with 
bowed heads and stricken hearts to observe the sol- 
emn services of a soldier's funeral. Kev. Isaac Er- 
rett of&ciated. His sermon being extemporaneous, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 31 

not even a synopsis of it was preserved. The fol- 
lowing appropriate hymn was sung: 

" Servant of God, well done ! 
Rest from tliy loved employ. 
The battle fought, the victory won— 
Enter thy Master's joy. 

"At midnight comes the cry, 
'To meet thy God prepare 1 ' 
He woke and caught his Captain's eye, 
Then, strong in faith and prayer, 

"His spirit, with a bound, 
Left its encumbering clay ; 
His tent, at sunrise, on the ground 
A darkened ruin lay. 

" Soldier of Christ, well done ! 

Praise be thy new employ; 

And, while eternal ages run, 

Rest in thy Saviour's joy." 



I remained at Mr. Tread way's until the 81st, and, 
while awaiting an opening for work, visited hospi- 
tals with Mrs. Brainard. The 25th, I saw for the 
first time the wounded as they came from the battle- 
field — the bloody field of Antietam. They were 
taken to the Patent Office Hospital. Oh ! those 
bloody, mangled forms will long be fresh in mem- 



82 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ory. Some were able, with the help of a comrade, 
to crawl up the stairs, while others were carried 
up on stretchers. A few moans were heard, but 
no complaining, and no loud groaning, as I expected 
to hear. Mrs. B. had a basket filled with cakes and 
crackers, which we handed them as they were car- 
ried past us. How eagerly they were caught by 
those who had an arm to raise. 

The sight was too much for me ; I was completely 
unnerved, and found it impossible to conceal the 
emotions so deeply stirred in my inmost soul. I 
returned to my room to weep over the sufferings 
I was powerless to alleviate. Oh, cruel, cruel war ! 

•• Sept. 29tk 

This morning I received an appointment from 
Judge Edmunds, as visiting agent for the society 
of which he is the President. Alexandria is to be 
my field of labor for the present — the very place I 
had wished and prayed for, since there the object 
of my hopes, only two weeks ago so bright, lies 
buried. How rejoiced I am in the prospect of 
work. I trust I shall be enabled to do some little 
good — to alleviate some poor sufferer, and to en- 
courage the desponding. 

During my short stay in Washington I have seen 
but little — speaking of the city itself — to attract 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 83 

notice. The public biiildings are very fine, the Cap- 
itol magnificent; remove these, and Washington is 
shorn of its beauty. 

Sept SOth. 

I came over to Alexandria this morning, in com- 
pany with Mrs. Brainard, Mrs. Colonel Fenton, 
and Miss Moor. I have engaged board at Mrs. 
May's, at five dollars per week. Soon after 
arriving, an ambulance, which Mrs. M. had ordered, 
reported, and we all went out to Fairfax Seminary 
Hospital, a distance of about three miles from the 
city. This is a large hospital, and will accommodate 
several hundred patients. It is situated in a delight- 
ful place, standing on a high eminence, and com- 
manding a fine view of the country for miles around. 
It was formerly a theological seminary ; hence Semi- 
nary Hospital. The pa4:ients appeared comfortable, 
and, as a general thing, cheerful. The hospital wore 
an air of neatness, which made it seem quite home- 
like. On our way back we called at the hospital 
of the First Michigan Cavalry, which we found much 
more comfortable than 1 expected; in fact, I think 
those large airy tents are much better for hospital 
purposes than close rooms. The country, before the 
war, must have been beautiful ; but now, so desolate ! 
Fences gone, buildings in ruins, shrubbery destroyed, 
fields uncultivated — all showing the sad effects of 



34: THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 

desolating war — while in e^^ery direction may be 
seen the " canvas home*' of the soldier. Frequently 
we passed squads of men under drill — recruits, I 
suppose — their glistening bayonets and gleaming 
swords sparkling and flashing in the sunlight, inno- 
cent of the destructive work they will soon aid in 
executing. Every now and then we caught sight of 
the stars and stripes proudly floating from some 
strongly - fortified place, with its big guns bidding 
defiance to the enemy. At almost every step I was 
reminded of that dear brother, who only three weeks 
ago closed his eyes in death, and now lies buried in 
yonder cemetery. He no more rallies at the bugle's 
call, or starts at the tap of the drum, but he sleeps 
with his comrades in arms, in the sacred soil " of his- 
toric old Virginia" where, through the branches of the 
tall cedars over his head, the sighing winds of au- 
tumn sing his requiem, and the placid waters of the 
Potomac murmur at his feet. 

" Sleep, brother, sleep, for your last marcli is ended, 
Thy bright morning star has in midnight descended — 
Sleep 'neath the flag which your valor defended, 
War's battle-drum shall awake you no more. 

" Rest from life's wearisome troubles and sorrows. 
Rest from the griefs which assail us each morrow. 
Yours is the jieace that we gladly would borrow, 
Yours is a joy of a battle safe o'er. " 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 35 

Oct. Ist. 

To-day, the date at whicli my journal begins, I have 
spent nearly all my time in the hospitals ; in fact this 
has been my first hospital work, though having been 
to them before, but simply as a visitor. Now I have 
something to do, and I am happy in the hope of 
being able to do some good. The experience of this 
day teaches me that no one — especially a lady — who 
is in sympathy with our cause can visit these hospitals 
without doing good. Her very presence is cheering 
to the soldier. A kind, cheerful look, a smile of re- 
cognition, one word of encouragement, enables him to 
bear his sufferings more bravely. 

I am now, where I have earnestly prayed to be 
ever since the war began, among the sick and wound- 
ed, that I might in some degree supply personal 
wants and relieve present-necessities ; yet I have never 
seen an opening before. But that mysterious Provi- 
dence "whose ways are past finding out " has appoint- 
ed me a field of labor, the path hereto passing 
through the deep waters of a'ffliction. I sometimes 
leel like exclaiming, 

O God ! I dare not pray, 

Thou answerest. in so strange a way. 



36 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER III 



MICHIGAN RELIEF ASSOCIATION— ALEXANDRIA HOSPITALS— CON- 
VALESCENT CAMP— FORT LYON — GENERAL BERRY'S BRIG- 
ADE — SOLDIER'S BURIAL — REIJEL WOMEN — EVENING WORK 
— DEATH OP MICHIGAN SOLDIERS. 

Perhaps I ought here to give a brief account of 
the Society with which I was connected. This As- 
sociation was organized in the autumn of 1861, but 
was not, according to the report of one of its officers, 
called into full activity until the spring of 1862. 
" This was the first organization of the kind upon 
the Atlantic slope, and the last to leave it.'* Its offi- 
cers at the time I became a member were: Hon. J. 
M. Edmunds, of Detroit, President; S. York Atlee, 
of Kalamazoo, and Mr. F. Myers, Yice-Presidents ; 
Dr. H. J. Alvord, of Detroit, Secretary; and Z. Moses, 
of Grand Rapids, Treasurer. 

Mrs. Brainard and myself were at this time the 
only regularly employed visiting agents, and were 
the only agents who remained with the Association 
year after year. Others were employed for a few 
weeks or months, as the exigencies of the times de- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 37 

manded. Our time and labor were gratuitously be- 
stowed, as were also the services of the officers; 
hence it will be seen that it cost comparatively little 
to keep the "institution" running — a large propor- 
tion of all the funds received going to the direct re- 
lief of our needy soldiers. The above-named officers, 
with the exception of one of the Vice-Presidents and 
the Secretary, remained with the Association during 
the entire period of its existence, and were earnest 
and efficient laborers. I will now give a condensed 
report of my work for the month of October, 1862 : 

This was my initiation month. I spent my time 
in preparing and distributing supplies to the hospi- 
tals in the city — of which there were fourteen, in- 
cluding some twenty different buildings — and the 
surrounding camps. These hospitals would accom- 
modate from two to fifteen hundred patients each. 
All of the largest and finest private residences, the 
churches — with two exceptions — school buildings, and 
hotels, were converted into hospitals. The largest of 
these was the "Mansion House," formerly known as 
the old " Braddock House," in one of the rooms 
of which — at this time used for an office — General 
George Washington held his Councils of War. The 
same old furniture was still in use. 

Our Michigan soldiers were scattered through all 
these hospitals, and to find out and visit every one 



88 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

was no small task, it being almost a day's work to 
go through one of the largest. After having gone 
the rounds once, and obtained' a list of the names of 
those I was to visit, the number of their ward, and 
what each one needed, the work of supplying these 
wants would have been comparatively light, were it 
not for the changes which were constantly taking 
place by death, discharges, transfers, furloughs, new 
arrivals, and returns to duty, which were of almost 
daily occurrence. 

In my visits to these hospitals I seldom went 
empty-handed; sometimes taking cooked tomatoes 
or stewed fruit, at others, chicken broth, pickles, 
butter, cheese, jelly, tea hot from the stove, and, in 
addition to these, I would frequently buy oranges, 
lemons, and fresh fruit, according as the appetite 
seemed to crave. Besides, I gave out clothing to 
those most in need — such as shirts, drawers, socks, 
slippers, dressing-gowns, towels and handkerchiefs, 
also stationery and reading-matter. During this 
month I received a nice box of goods from Ionia. 
Could the donors have known how much good that 
one box did, they would have felt amply repaid for 
all they ever did for the soldiers, and encouraged to 
renewed efforts in the good work. 

I made several visits to old "Camp Convalescent" 
— very properly called "Camp Misery" — which was 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 89 

about a mile and a half from the city. Pen would 
fail to describe one-half its wretchedness. Here were 
from ten to fifteen thousand soldiers — not simply the 
convalescent, but the sick and dying — many of them 
destitute, with not even a blanket or an overcoat, 
having little or no wood, their rations consisting of 
salt pork and "hard tack," whatever else might have 
been issued ; they had no fire with which to do the 
cooking, consequently much of the time they were 
obliged to eat their pork raw. Oh ! how many times 
my heart was wrung with pity, and indignation too, 
On seeing those shivering forms with their thin, pale 
faces, cold and hunger-pinched, sitting upon the 
sunny side of their tents, eating their scanty meal. 

While our hearts were justly filled with indigna- 
tion toward the rebel government for its inhuman 
treatment of their prisoners, should they not also 
have been toward our own, for thus shamefully ne- 
glecting those within its reach? I do not pretend 
to say that this camp equalled Southern prison-pens 
in degradation and wretchedness ; but they were be- 
yond our control, while over this floated the flag of 
our country. Think of men sick with fever, pneu- 
monia, or chronic diarrhoea, eating raw pork and 
lying upon the cold, damp ground, with only one 
blanket, and, it may be, none, and the wonder will 
be, not that they died, but that any recovered. I 



40 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

would not be understood to say that all in this 
camp were thus feeble and destitute, bat there were 
many such; while, at the same time, there were 
others, who, had they possessed a spirit of true man- 
liness and patriotism, would have been ashamed to 
have been seen hanging around the Convalescents' 
Camp, but would have been found at the front, at 
their posts of duty. 

There were, at this time, some two hundred Michi- 
gan men in this camp. Their tents were pitched on 
a side-hill, so that, when it rained, the water would 
run through them like a river, in spite of the little 
trench surrounding each one. I was frequently told 
that when there was a drenching rain they were 
obliged to stand up all night to keep their clothing 
from being completely saturated, and, wrapping their 
blankets around them, they like true soldiers sub- 
mitted to their fate. 

During the cold, chilly nights, those not fortunate 
enough to possess a blanket were compelled to walk 
to and fro the entire night to keep warm, thus pacing 
off the long, weary hours while waiting for the dawn, 
and, when the sun was up, lie down and sleep be- 
neath his cheering rays, and so prepare themselves 
for another night's tramp. Methinks there will be a 
fearful account for some one to settle when the " final 
statements " are forwarded to the Court of Heaven. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 41 

« 

In going to " Camp Misery " I always filled my 
ambulance — when I had one — with quilts, under- 
clothing, towels, handkerchiefs, pies, stewed fruits, 
and whatever else I happened to have on hand. 
Mrs. May and daughters usually accompanied me, 
and assisted in distributing the goods. This was al- 
ways a pleasant task ; pleasant, because some hearts 
were made happier, and a few shivering forms more 
comfortable. And yet there was sadness mingled 
with all the pleasure experienced in this blessed 
work. To have so many cups presented as the last 
spoonful of sauce was dished out, and after the sup- 
ply of clothing had been exhausted, to hear the ap- 
peals — " Say, got anymore socks there?" ''Drawers 
all gone ? " " Can't you let me have a flannel 
shirt?" "I've the rheumatis awful." "Haven't an- 
other of those quilts, have you ? " " Pretty cold 
nights," — and not satisfied until they had taken a 
peep into the ambulance to be sure there was not 
something held in reserve for some one more highly 
favored than themselves, would produce a sadness of 
heart which could be relieved only by a continued 
distribution of the articles needed. We could only 
tell them to keep up good courage — that we would 
come again soon, and leave them, a little comforted, 
with the hope of being served the next time. 
I have sometimes been told that soldiers were not 



42 THE BOYS IN WHITH. 

half as destitute as they often pretended to be, and 
that we were frequently imposed upon. Be that as 
it may, the fact that imposition was practised upon 
us by unprincipled men rendered the needy no less 
deserving, and would not have justified us in ceas- 
ing our efiPorts in their behalf. The soldier had my 
confidence. I looked upon him as good and true, 
consequently I might not have detected frauds as 
readily as some ; neither do I believe I was imposed 
upon as frequently as I would have been had I al- 
ways doubted his word and suspected he was trying 
to deceive me. 

Then there was the camp of paroled prisoners, 
where some fifteen hundred were waiting to be ex- 
changed, who demanded not only our sympathy but 
our supplies ; yet they were not as destitute as many 
at Camp Convalescent, as clothing was issued by the 
Government soon after their arrival. Neither were 
they as reduced and emaciated as many who were 
returned to us from Southern prisons during the 
latter part of the war. The troops stationed at Fort 
Lyons were also greatly in need. Upon one of my 
visits to this fort, among other things wanted, one of 
the sick — a young, delicate-looking boy — wished to 
know if 1 couldn't bring him a feather-bed ; but the 
nearest I could come to it was a good soft pillow. 
There was so much needed and so many to be sup- 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 43 

plied, that the little I could do with the limited means 
at my disposal seemed like a drop of the ocean. 

After one of mj visits to these depots of misery, 
1 went out in company with Mrs. May and daugh- 
ters to General Berry's Brigade, encamped near Mun- 
son's Hill, a few miles from Alexandria. I found 
several of my former friends and school-mates, while 
others, alas ! were missing. Where were " Eldred," 
and "Birge," and "Woodward?" Had they, too, 
gone to swell the ranks of the " Boys in White ? " 
Ah ! yes ; young Birge, the Christian boy, was sleep- 
ing at Fair Oaks ; Woodward, only a few weeks be- 
fore, closed his eyes in death at Fairfax Seminary; 
and Eldred — the gifted, the pride of his class — at 
Georgetown. They left their books and college halls 
for the camp, the bivouac, the battle-field, and a 
soldier's grave. 

"Let tliem rest, the fight is over. 
And the victory bravely won ; 
Softly wrap their banner round them. 
Lay them low, their work is done." 

One Lord's Day, while visiting my brother's grave, 
I witnessed, for the first time, a soldier's burial ; and 
a more solemn scene my eyes had never beheld. 
The lone ambulance, the plain cofiin, the sad strains 
of music, the slow tread of the escort, the salute fired 



44 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

over the grave, the absence of all mourning friends, 
rendered the scene peculiarly solemn and impressive ! 

Who would believe that the human heart could 
ever become so lost to all feelings of humanity as to 
rejoice and exult over the sufferings and death of 
even an enemy ? And yet I was told by the Kev. 
Mr. Eeid that he had seen those calling themselves 
ladies dance to the tune of the " Dead March," and 
clap their hands and exclaim, " Grood, good ! there 
goes another Yankee ! " on seeing a soldier's funeral 
procession passing slowly to the city of the dead. 
This seems almost incredible, but Mr. E.'s word is 
unimpeachable. Kebel women there were exceed- 
ingly bitter toward the North— that "Hydra-headed 
monster," Secession, being the great object of their 
worship. All the finer feelings and tender sympa- 
thies of woman's nature seem to have given place to 
malignant hate and fiend-like cruelty. 

I devoted my time evenings to cooking and pre- 
paring things for distribution at the hospitals next 
day. The 24th inst. I went to Camp Convalescent 
with forty-two pies and several gallons of sauce. 
The boys seemed to think a piece of dried-apple- 
pie, however plain, one of the greatest luxuries 
they ever enjoyed. The moment it was known 
there were pies in camp our ambulance would be 
surrounded, and we, the occupants, literally taken 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 4:5 

prisoners; some begging for themselves, otliers for a 
sick comrade who was unable to leave the quarters. 
At such times how earnestly I have wished that the 
miracle of the " loaves and fishes " might be repeated. 
The last three or four days of the month I spent 
in going the rounds of the hospitals attending to 
special cases; and ere its close many a noble heart 
ceased to beat, many a manly form was cold in 
death, and many a newly -made grave might have 
been seen in the Soldier's Cemetery; yet compara- 
tively few of the Michigan soldiers in the hospitals 
I Visited died — only four, I believe — two of the 
Eighth, one of the Sixteenth Infantry, and poor 
William Eaton, of the First Cavalry, who lingered 
beyond all expectation. He was the first Michigan 
soldier that died to whom my attention was particu- 
larly called, and for whom I had felt a special in- 
terest, and his death seemed like taking another 
from our ah'cady broken circle. 

" Warrior, rest ! thy toils are ended. 
Life's last fearful strife is o'er; 
Clarion-calls with death-notes blended 
Shall disturb thine ear no more. 

" Peaceful is thy dreamless slumber ; 
Peaceful, but how cold and stern; 
Thou hast joined that silent number. 
In the land whence none return." 



46 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER IV. 



MOUNT VERNON — JOHN DOWNEY — CHAPLAIN HOPKINS— MRS. 
MUNSELL — COLD WEATHER — NEW ARRIVALS — GEN. BERRY 
AND DR. BONINE — DEATH OF MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIERS — 
THANKSGIVING — RED TAPE — KIDNAPPING. 

JVbvember 4th. 

As a party, consisting of Dr. Bonine and wife, Mrs. 
May and danghters, and Mrs. Johnson, wife of Adju- 
tant Johnson, of the Second Michigan volunteers, v^ere 
going to Mount Yernon this forenoon, they insisted 
upon my going with them, and as I had never been 
there, and fearing that another opportunity might not 
present itself during my stay here, I consented to do 
so, provided they would call at Camp Convalescent 
on their way, as I had a few quilts to dispose of. 
My request being granted, we are soon on our way ; 
arriving at camp, we distribute our quilts, and head 
our horses for Mount Vernon, seven miles from Alex- 
andria. It is nearly noon when we arrive, and a few 
minutes after we are within the same walls where 
once had lived and died the " Father of his country." 
The mansion is a two-story frame building, made in 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 47 

imitation of marble, with a colonnade fronting tlie 
river. "We are conducted through the house — that is, 
the portion of it open to the public — hj the gentleman 
in charge of the estate, whom, I am sorry to learn, is 
a secessionist. There are but few articles of furniture 
left — an old harpsichord, table, sofa, a large blue plat- 
ter, and a bedstead — is about all. The bedstead, said 
to be a. facsimile of the one on which that great and 
good man died, stands in the room which witnessed 
the closing scene of his life— a pleasant room on the 
second floor, commanding a fine view of the Potomac. 
As I stood and looked out upon the lovely landscape 
before me, I could not help thinking how many times 
Washington had looked from the same window, upon 
the same scenery — the sa,me pleasant grove, the same 
sweet flowers, the same grand old Potomac, But now 
he sleeps peacefully amid all these beauties — ^he heeds 
not the tread of the stranger — the sound of the war- 
drum disturbs not his slumbers. 

In one of the rooms is Washington's knapsack, hol- 
sters, and medicine-chest. In the hall hangs the large 
iron key of the ancient Bastile of France, presented to 
General Washington by General La Fayette. The 
ceilings are stuccoed and contain many curious de- 
vices, such as flowers, human figures, implements of 
husbandry, etc. 

Having finished our visit here, we repair to the 



48 THE BOYS IN WHifE. 

flower-garden, through which we are conducted by a 
colored man, who claims to have been a slave of Gen- 
eral Washington. " I've lived here right smart ; heap 
o' years afore mass' and missis died," he tells us. 
This garden is beautiful, but sadly neglected. The 
greenhouse* contains many choice plants. A var- 
iety of evergreens and stately forest trees, including a 
large and beautiful magnolia — which we are told 
Washington brought from Florida and planted with 
his own hands — constitute a fine grove in front of the 
mansion. We gathered a few stray leaves, which had 
fallen to the ground, as precious mementoes of the 
place. But the most sacred spot is yet to be visited — 
the vault — where are deposited the remains of that 
noble couple, George and Martha Washington. We 
approach the sleeping dead with slow and cautious 
step, for it seems that we are treading upon holy 
ground. Oh, what memories cluster around this ven- 
erated tomb I The past and the present are strangely 
linked together. The principle of universal liberty, 
for which he fought, is that for which we are now con- 
tending. In the outer apartment of the vault are two 
large sarcophagi, which can plainly be seen through 
the iron grating ; but the remains are deposited in the 
inner apartment. On either side of the tomb are 
monuments erected to the memory of different mem- 

* Since burned. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 49 

bers of the family. "We gather a few pebbles from 
the vault as sacred relics from a consecrated tomb, 
and leave the sainted dead to their silent slumbers. 

We next direct our steps to the spring-house, which 
is situated far down the bank ; we drink of the crys- 
tal waters of the spring, take a peep into the house, 
and clamber back up the steep hill, return to the 
mansion, rest for a few moments, drink once more of 
the sparkling water from the " old oaken bucket that 
hangs in the well," bid farewell to Mount Yernon, and 
are soon safely at home again ; and, though tired and 
hungry, we feel that the trip has not been a lost oppor- 
tunity. We saw nothing more of the rebel officer 
whom we met on our way down, when we all so 
much regretted that none of our party was around, in 
which case he would have been halted ; for the idea of 
returning from a pleasure excursion with a captured 
prisoner was not only rom.antic, but pleasing, espe- 
cially as our party consisted — with one exception — en- 
tirely of ladies. Mount Yernon has not, like most places 
of the ^outh, been visited with the ravages of war, it 
being neutral ground, and held sacred by both armies. 

LINES SUGGESTED ON LEAVING THE TOMB OP WASHINGTON. 

Sleep on, brave warrior, sleep. 
Thy work on earth is done ; 
Sleep on — thy mission is fulfilled, 
xlnd thou a golden crown ha.^t won. 



50 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Sleep on, brave heart, sleep on. 
While o'er thy tomb we weep, 
And bow in humbleness of heart. 
With holy reverence meet. 

Sleep on and take your rest, 

O noble patriot sire ; 

By old Potomac's placid wave 

W^e leave you sleeping sweetly there. 

Novemher 5th. 

Ha\mg heard tHat there was a young man in one of 
the hospitals at Georgetown, who was with my dear 
brother while he lay on the battle-field, after he had 
received his fatal wound, I resolved to see him and 
learn, if possible, the particulars of those long weary 
days and nights of suffering, preceding his removal to 
the hospital. I went, therefore, this morning, and, 
after searching through five hospitals, found him, and 
learned from him more of the care my brother receiv- 
ed than I had ever known before. 

This soldier, John Downey, belonged to the same 
company with my brother — Co. K, Eighth Michigan 
Infantry — and though himself wounded, he refused to 
leave his friend until he saw him removed from the 
field, each day managing to furnish a little some- 
thing for him to eat, and a cup of hot coffee, and suf- 
ferring himself to be taken prisoner rather than for- 
sake his comrade. He tried to get a surgeon to dress 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 51 

bis wounds, but could not until it was too late, as each 
had to wait his turn where there were so manj to be 
cared for. 

Brother was wounded late in the afternoon of Sep- 
tember 1, and lay on the field until the evening of 
the 5th, arrived at Alexandria on the morning of the 
6th, and died on the 9th. Before leaving the battle- 
field he seemed to realize that he could not live, and 
committed to the keeping of young Downey photo- 
graphs of his family which he had carried with him 
since first entering the service, saying, " Should I not 
recover, please send these to my wife." The request 
has been granted. He saw him as he was put into 
the ambulance, after the amputation of his limb, for 
that painful ride to Alexandria, a distance of twenty 
miles or more. JSTobleboyl I shall ever hold him in 
grateful remembrance for his kindness to my dying 
brother. 

Hundreds of others were brought in that night in 
the same way. Oh, what untold suffering those long 
weary miles witnessed ! During that tedious journey, 
at all hours of the night, whenever the train halted 
for a few moments' rest, two ministering spirits might 
have been seen going from ambulance to ambulance 
with canteens of water, bathing inflamed wounds, ad- 
justing the little cushions under bleeding " stumps/' 
administering some gentle stimulant to those weak 



52 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

and exhausted from the loss of blood, speaking wor^s 
of encouragement to the desponding, and commending 
the dying to the Saviour. These were the Rev. Mr. 
Hopkins, chaplain of the Mansion House Hospital, 
and Mrs. Munsell, a lady whose soul seems absorbed 
in her work for the soldiers — a Southern lady, a na- 
tive of South Carolina, but loyal and true. They 
were returning from the battle-field, where they had 
been working night and day among the wounded and 

dying. 
****** -x- 

As the cold weather set in unusually early, and 
continued for some time, the number of sick increased 
very rapidly. 

The 18th inst.. Dr. Cleveland, of the Second Mich- 
igan, came in from the front with two hundred sick, 
one of whom died on the way. Large accessions were 
also made to our hospitals from the surrounding 
camps, especially the old Convalescent ; and new ar- 
rivals always implied increased labor. Of the sick 
thus brought in, death kindly relieved many of their 
sufferings; yet I remember but two from Michigan 
who died that month. These were Henry T. Gilmore 
of the Eighth, and Daniel Morrell of the Fifth Volun- 
teers. The last named I saw many times. Poor boy ! 
he lingered days after it became apparent that he 
must die. It was my privilege frequently to admin- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 53 

ister to his wants, tliough I met with some opposition 
from the surgeon-in-charge. He told me his patients 
were sometimes injured by persons coming in and 
distributing food indiscriminately to them ; and what 
he would be glad for one patient to have, would be 
injurious to another. But I still insisted upon taking 
nourishment to Daniel, as he couldn't relish anythino- 
cooked in the hospital. I finally obtained the doc- 
tor's consent, provided I would bring only such and 
such articles. Having previously learned from the 
nurses what he was allowed to eat, I complied with 
the surgeon's wishes. I always made it a rule to do 
so, believing that their judgment was superior to 
mine, or at least ought to be, though I sometimes saw 
those whom I thought knew less. 

Toward evening of the 10th, after visiting hospitals 
all day, I called at the Lyceum Hall, where I found 
Sergeant Colburn, a noble Massachusetts soldier, 
dying. He had suffered long months from the effects 
of three fearful wounds, yet he had always appeared 
hopeful; but those ghastly wounds had made too great 
a drain upon his system. Nature yielded to the stern 
mandate of the "king of terrors." I sat by his bed- 
side some two hours bathing his parched lips and 
heated brow, and watching the flickering taper of life, 
slowly yet surely burning out; but as there was a 
prospect of his lingering some hours longer, and hav- 



54 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ing other duties to attend to, I rose to go, promising 
to call again in the morning. He extended his cold, 
bony hand, and bade me *' good-by," while he gave 
me a look that said, "You will not see me in the 
morning." And sure enough, the next morning all 
that remained of Sergeant Colburn was the clay ten- 
ement robed in white. The brother whom he had so 
anxiously hoped to see ere his departure arrived soon 
after his death, and returned with the remains of this 
once noble form to the stricken band at home. And 
thus one after another sealed his devotion to his coun-. 
try with his life-blood, " all warm from his heart." 

Never more the roar of battle 
E'er shall hreak our soldier's sleep — 
Safe the rest they won, and o'er it 
Angel sentries guardiance keep. 

November 21th, 
Thansgiving day. Miss Jones came on from Phila- 
delphia with a sumptuous dinner for her boys in Ly- 
ceum Hospital. She had eight barrels and five boxes 
filled with good things, consisting of vegetables of all 
kinds, fruits, roast turkey, nice home-made bread, but- 
ter, cheese, pickles, jellies, tea, coffee, sugar, celery, 
etc. It was a complete surprise, and, as may be ima- 
gined, a joyful one. It was my happy privilege to 
assist in preparing and distributing this beautiful 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 55 

Thanksgiving dinner. After all liad eaten Tintil they 
could eat no more, there still remained several barrels 
unopened, which Miss Jones took to Camp Convales- 
cent and distributed among the poor, half-fed soldiers 
belonging to her own State. What a luxury, roast 
turkey at this camp ! When she retires this night, 
how happy she will be in the thought of having made 
so many hearts rejoice — while many a " God bless 
you " will follow her to her home. Truly, it is more 
blessed to give than to receive. 

In all of our hospitals they have had an extra din- 
ner, and, in some, pleasant gatherings in the evening of 
all who are able to leave their rooms, at which speech- 
es were made, toasts given, and a general good time 
enjoyed. 

* * 4t * 45- -H- * 

Towards the latter part of November, I learned from 
bitter experience the meaning of the phrase "red tape," 
so commonly made use of in the army. 

I also fell in with a practice which I had always 
greatly abhorred, that of kidnapping — not black men 
however, but white men — soldiers. But in this busi- 
ness I never had — as many kidnappers must have — 
any remorse of conscience. Perhaps it was because I 
stole with the free will and consent of the stolen, but 
somehow I felt that I was bidden "God-speed." I 
know I had the benediction of the soldiers and their 



5^ THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

friends, and God's approval; what more could I ask? 
My kidnapping consisted in bringing sick men from 
Camp Convalescent without permission. My reason 
for this course will be seen at length. At one of my 
visits to this — as the boys called it — " confounded old 
camp, " I found several Michigan soldiers very ill, ly- 
ing upon the cold damp ground, with no fire, no medi- 
cal attendance, little or nothing they could eat, with 
such care only as their comrades, under the circum- 
stances, could give. I resolved to get them admitted, 
if possible, into some hospital before I slept. So go- 
ing to the commanding ofiicer — Col. Belknap — I told 
him there were several sick men in camp whom I 
wished to take with me to Alexandria. He very po- 
litely refers me to Dr. Jacobs, the surgeon-in-charge, 
who will give permission to remove them. On call- 
ing at his office, I found that he had left for Alexan- 
dria only a few moments before. Hurrying back to 
Alexandria, I find the doctor and make my wishes 
known, and receive the reply, "I will gladly do so, 
but you must first get a written statement from the 
surgeon of the hospital where you wish to take them, 
certifying that he will admit them ; then come to me 
and I will give you a written permit to remove as many 
as you like. " We drove over to Fairfax street Hospi- 
tal in full faith that the required certificate would be 
obtained ; but imagine my disappointment on hearing 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 57 

Dr. Eobertson — wlio, bj the way, was one of the kind- 
est and best surgeons it was my good fortune to meet 
while in the army — say, " I wish I had the authority to 
give you such a statement-r-you will have to see Dr. 
Summers. " (I will here state that these hospitals 
were divided into the First, Second and Third Divi- 
sions. Dr. E.'s hospital was in the first division, of 
which Dr. S. had charge, and, consequently, subject to 
his orders. ) My heart almost failed me as I turned 
away, for I had but little hope of success left, and was 
not much disappointed to hear Dr. S. sternly say, " I 
have no authority to give you any such permission. 
You will have to go to Washington and see the Medi- 
cal Director." It was now dark, and Saturday at that, 
consequently I could not see the Medical Director be- 
fore Monday. I returned home well-nigh discourag- 
ed, but made up my mind that, if I lived to see ano- 
ther day, I would go on my own responsibility and 
bring them away. So early the next morning, " it be- 
ing the first day of the week, " I sent for my ambu- 
lance and started, for camp, having first been assured 
by Dr. Eobertson that he would assume the responsi- 
bility of admitting the boys into the hospital, in case I 
should succeed in getting them out of camp. An 
hour later I had the pleasure of seeing six of them 
safely quartered in Dr. E.'s comfortable hospital, where 
they were kindly cared for. One, however — Edward 



58 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Furnam, sick with pneumonia — needed care only a 
short time. He lingered a few days, and then went to 
join the army composed of the "boys in white. " Of 
all the soldiers to whose comfort it was my privilege 
to administer, there is none whom I remembered with 
feelings more peculiarly sad. His imploring Icok for 
help as I saw him that Saturday evening in his tent 
^his expressions of gratitude after his removal to the 
hospital, the feeling experienced upon seeing, so soon, 
so unexpectedly, his vacant bed, have left an indelible 
impress on my mind. The others recovered, one of 
whom I was joyfully surprised to meet at Portland, 
Michigan, last winter; and who still claims that his 
timely removal from camp was the means of robbing 
Death of his prey. 




•^ %G.E.Pertii-e- 



^y^^.^^ /^^^^^^ 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 59 



CHAPTER V. 



A CRUEL EXPERIMENT — THE QUARREL — MY BROTHER'S LAST 
LETTER — THE APOLOGY — SPECIAL CASES OF INTEREST — A 
HAPPY MEETING — BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG — MCVEY 
HOSPITAL — REV. J. A. B. STONE — CHRISTMAS — RUMORS — 
CLOSE OP THE YEAR. 

December 1st 

Quite a change in the weather. Though the first 
day of winter, it is warm and pleasant. Have been to 
three hospitals with various articles, both of food and 
clothing. At the Baptist Church I saw a noble- 
looking man cold in death, who might have been liv- 
ing still but for the wicked experiment of a surgeon 
in probing his wound, and then injecting a substance 
which so irritated the nervous system that it produced 
convulsions, followed by lockjaw ; and death, in a few 
hours, was the result. He was able to be about the 
ward at the time the probing was done, but from that 
moment he suffered the most excruciating pain, till 
death came to his relief He leaves a wife and two 
children to mourn his untimely death. For the truth 
of this statement, I refer to Dr. Hammond — surgeon- 



60 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

in-charge — in whose absence the operation was per- 
formed, and from whom I learned the above facts. 

In St. Paul's Hospital, among the many serious 
cases, there is one whose pale face and patient endu- 
rance of suffering have enlisted all my sympathy. This 
is a New York soldier, a beautiful young man of per- 
haps twenty- two summers. He has received a mor- 
tal wound in the body ; life is slowly ebbing away, 
and he expects soon to receive a " starry crown, and 
robe of white." 

December Zd. 

Among the hospitals visited to-day was St. Paul's, 
where I had a quarrel with a surgeon. As I entered 
the hospital I met the doctor in one of the aisles. I 
saw at once there was something wrong, but not for a 
moment thinking that I was the " rock of offence," when 
in an authorative manner he demanded to know what 
I had in that bowl. " Tea, doctor," was my reply. 
*' Who is it for ? " " That New York man over there ; 
he can't drink the tea made here, so I bring him some 
occasionally — any objections, doctor?" "Pve no ob- 
jections to the tea, but I don't want you to bring any 
more here." Before I had time to reply, he had left 
the ward. As the poor fellow drank the tea, and re- 
turned the bowl — being weak and childish — he burst 
into tears and begged me to " come again, " while 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 61 

Others expressed tlaeir regrets, sapng, " The doctor is 
real mean to act so." " Never you mind, boys," said 
I ; "I shall surely come again; the doctor and I will 
have a settlement, and we will find out what all this 
means." I left the hospital, feeling deeply grieved at 
the rude treatment I had received ; having given, to 
my knowledge, no provocation whatever. 

The evening after this unpleasant experience, I 
received a letter from my widowed sister, enclosing 
my brother's photograph ; also, a letter he had written 
a short time before he was wounded — the last ever 
traced by his dear hand for me. It was sealed and 
directed, but not mailed, having been found after his 
death in his, diary and sent t© his wife, who forwarded 
to me. The following is the letter, written only 
twelve days before the battle of Chantilly, where he 
received that fatal wound ; 

" Camp near Cedar Mountain, Ya., ) 
August 18th, 1862. j 

" Yert Dear Sister — After so long a delay, I at- 
tempt to answer your very kind letter, dated, I think, 
about the first of July. I have not your letter with 
me now, as I send all the letters I get to Anna. It 
was about a month in tracing me out, which ac- 
counts for your not receiving an answer sooner; 
and, since receiving it, we have been constantly on 



62 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

the move, and, as I am still Acting Orderly Ser- 
geant, I have my hands full, as you may well im- 
agine. I, as well as the rest of our regiment, have 
seen some hard times since leaving home last Spring. 
I have seen the time more than once that it would 
have been a luxury to have lain down in the road, 
or most any place. Had any one told me that I 
could have endured what I have, I certainly should 
not have believed him ; yet I am still in good health. 
I wrote Anna yesterday. I told her you would have 
to wait until we get settled before I wrote you, ex- 
pecting to be on the move again to-day. But this 
morning things looked as though we were going to 
stay here a day or two, and I thought I would write 
you a good long letter and give you a description 
of the country and of our different marches, thinking 
perhaps it would interest you ; but I had scarcely 
began when the order came for 'three days' rations 
in our haversacks;' so, you see, we shall soon be on 
the march again. We are at present some four or 
five miles from Culpepper Court House, and about 
two from the late battle-ground. Jackson has re- 
treated across the Eapidan, and I presume we shall 
cross over in pursuit of him. Ho must be overcome, 
cost what it may. Do not forget to pray for me. 
Do what you can to comfort and cheer Anna. Tell 
her all will yet be well. Our regiment is in the 9th 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 63 

corps, which is attached to ' Pope's Grand Army of 
the Potomac' You must watch the papers and keep 
track of our brigade. Colonel Crist is in command ; 
look for his brigade to learn the fate of the Michigan 
8th. I have much to write, but must close. Kemem- 
ber me at the Throne of Grace. 

" Your brother, Orville Wheelock. 

"P. S.— Direct to Co. K, 8th Mich. Yols., 9th Corps, 
Washington, D. C." 

" Like some bright vision of tlie night, 

Or like a meteor's ray 
Of brilliancy iipon the sight, 

He calmly passed away. 
And thus a gentle spirit's gone 

To seek its home above, 
And mingle with that holy throng, 

With Him whose name is Love." 

December 6ih. 

Cold and unpleasant. Have been to St. Paul's 
again — the hospital where I had the quarrel a few 
days since — with some more tea and rasp berry -sauce 
for the sick. The doctor happened to be in, making 
his " grand round." Now is my time, thought I ; so, 
setting down my dishes, I approached him and asked 
an explanation of his strange conduct toward me a 



64: THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

few days before. He replied, in anything but a plea- 
sant tone : " You are a nurse in Wolfe Street Hos- 
pital, and have no business to interfere with mine ; 
and I don't want you to come here any more." "You 
are mistaken, doctor. I do not belong to Wolfe 
Street, or any other hospital," was my somewhat in- 
dignant reply. " Well, where do you belong ? and 
what is your business ? " On showing my appoint- 
ment from Judge Edmunds, I noticed a sudden 
change in his appearance, and I never saw any one 
more profuse with apologies. "I acknowledge my 
rudeness. I know I was hasty ; but I felt vexed to 
think a nurse from another hospital should trouble 
hei*self about my affairs. But it's all right now; I 
do not intend to cease to act the part of a gentle- 
man. I hope you will continue your visits to my 
hospital. Come whenever it suits your convenience 
best, and bring in for the boys any thing you see 
fit. You need never trouble yourself to ask me ; I 
will trust to your judgment." Of course I couldn't 
help forgiving the doctor ; but, after all, I can't see 
why I should be entitled to more consideration, or 
my judgment considered superior to what it would 
have been had I been a nurse in some particular hos- 
pital. How much better it would be to treat every 
one with true politeness, which costs nothing, and 
thereby save ourselves much deep mortification. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. . 65 

December Wth 
This morning I went to Camp Convalescent with 
an ambulance filled with quilts, flannel shirts, socks, 
towels, handkerchiefs, sixteen pies — which I made 
last evening — and two large pails of stewed fruit, 
which I distributed among our needy soldiers. I 
found three quite sick, for one of whom I procured 
admittance to the "Examining Board" for discharge, 
and took the other two to Fairfax Street Hospital, 
in Alexandria. Came home, wrote two letters, and 
then went with some delicacies to St. Paul's. 

Poor Clark — the young man previously referred 
to as being so seriously wounded in the body — was, 
to all human appearance, dying. His grief-stricken 
mother is with him. I remained two or three hours : 
he still lingered. As it was getting late, and being 
very tired, I came home, when Mrs. May went over 
and stayed until a late hour with them. 

December Vlih, 
Cold and windy. This morning went again to St. 
Paul's. To my surprise I found young Clark still 
living, but another poor sufferer had passed away 
before him; he had just breathed his last. His 
mother, who was with him when he died, was then 
making preparations to take the body of the poor boy 
+0 her home. As I could render no assistance, I left 



bb THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

these scenes of mourning and grief, and went to other 
hospitals. -In visiting five, I found a large number 
whose names were added to my list. This cold wea- 
ther is causing much sickness. Another of our boys 
— Henry Tenyck, of the 5th, for whom I have felt 
a deep solicitude — is no more. In one of the hospi- 
tals I saw a man who had been accidentally shot 
through the luDgs, for whose recovery, his physician 
says, " there is no hope.*' Sad sights are an every- 
day experience. Death is at work, as the lone am- 
bulance on its way to the "silent city" too plainly 
tells. Soon after returning home from a tour through 
the hospitals, a gentleman called, who was in search 
of a sick son, and wanted to know if I could give 
him any information in regard to him. As soon as 
the name — Frank Eowley — was mentioned, I recog- 
nized it as the name of one of the boys whom I had 
"stolen" a few days before from old "Camp Misery," 
and, donning my hat and shawl, I accompanied the 
anxious father to the hospital where his son was. 
That joyful meeting of father and son I shall never 
forget. As the young man caught a glimpse of his 
father on his entering the room, he sprang up in bed, 
and, with extended arms, exclaimed, " Oh, my father ! 
my father ! '' while the tears chased each other in 
quick succession down his pale cheeks. In a moment 
they were clasped in each other's arms, and both 



THE BOYS IN AVHITE. 67 

weeping for joy. I left them to enjoy their visit 
without interruption. The evening has been devoted 
to letter-writing for soldiers. 

December 15th, 

A terrible battle has been raging all day at Fred- 
ericksburg, but no particulars have been received. 
We can only hope and pray that the God of battles 
may speed the right. 

Have visited four hospitals: took clothing, wine, 
and fruit. I first went to Prince Street Hospital, with 
some clothes for Monroe, of the Sixteenth, another of 
our noble, patient boys, who is as brave under suffer- 
ings as amid the dangers of battle. For months he 
has lain upon his narrow cot, much of. the time suffer- 
ing intensely from a severe wound in the thighs, yet 
never uttering a word of complaint. We hope the 
crisis is passed, as he seems to be convalescing, 
though yet very low. 

My next visit was to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with a bottle of wine for one very sick 
with pneumonia, who has failed very rapidly during 
the past few days. From here I went to the McYey 
House, a hospital recently established ^s a branch 
of Camp Convalescent. While there, two more brave 
soldiers closed their eyes in death — one from Michi- 
gan, and the other from Maine. They came from far- 



68 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

distant homes, but died together. In the same hos- 
pital, with their cots only a few feet apart, they laid 
their lives a sacrifice upon their country's altar at 
the same time. 

Dr. Holmes, of Lansing, is here to take the body 
of young Morehouse home to his weeping relatives 
and friends ; while the Maine soldier will soon sleep 
with his comrades in yonder cemetery. 

" Farewell ! A little time, and we, 
Who knew thee well, and loved thee here, 
One after another, shall follow thee 
As pilgrims through the gate of Fear, 
Which opens on Eternity." 

My last visit was at Washington Hall, where I 
found several new arrivals, some of whom are very 
sick. Oh, how much there is to be done ! The en-, 
tire evening has been devoted to making pies and 
stewing fruit, to take to the hospitals to-morrow, 
though I have felt more like folding my hands and 
weeping over the sad experiences of the day. 

December IQih. 
After visiting Fairfax Hospital, I went again to 
Camp ConAfalescent with pies, stewed fruit, and under- 
clothing. Mrs. May and Mrs. Bonine accompanied 
me, and assisted in giving out my supplies to those 
who seemed most in need, though that was rather a 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 69 

hard matter to decide. We succeeded in getting four, 
who were wholly unfit for service, admitted to the 
"Examining Board" for discharge, and two others 
who were very sick were brought by us to Alexan- 
dria, and admitted into Fairfax Street Hospital. Cou- 
sin George Jennings, whom I found here about the 
middle of last month, is still at the old camp ; having 
taken " French leave," he is now with us, and will re- 
main until to-morrow. He is still quite lame from the 
effects of a wound received on the 15th of last April, 
at the battle of Wilmington Island, and there is no 
prospect of his ever being fit for duty again ; yet he is 
kept, like multitudes of others, who ought to be dis- 
charged and sent home to their friends. What a com- 
fort to himself and family, could he have been with 
them when his only son, a dear little boy of fifteen 
months, was buried a few weeks ago. But no, he 
must follow the intricate windings of " red tape " a 
little longer. 

Though the wounded from Fredericksburg are daily 
expected, as yet none have arrived. Burnside's army 
has been forced to fall back and recross the Eappa- 
hannock. Our loss is estimated at ten thousand — 
another great slaughter and nothing gained. Oh ! 
when will these scenes of carnage cease ? Echo an- 
swers, "when! " 



70 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

December 18th. 
Have been busy this forenoon cooking and unpack- 
ing the goods which I brought yesterday from our 
storerooms in Washington. This afternoon cousin 
Jennings' "leave" having expired, I ordered an ambu- 
lance and took him back to camp — taking my sauce 
and pies along of course — and brought back three sick 
men to McYey Hospital. I had some trouble in get- 
ting them admitted, as there was a new surgeon in 
charge of the camp, whose office was in this building, 
and none hereafter were to be removed without his 
permission. It was now dark, and the nurses dare 
not admit them without the doctor's knowledge. Dr. 
Curtis was a stranger to me, and, not knowing what 
kind of a reception I might meet with, I hesitated a 
moment, quite undecided what course to pursue ; but, 
finding there was no way but to go and see him, I ran 
up-stairs to his office and related what I had done. 
"Well," said the doctor good-naturedly, " you mustn't 
do so any more, but come to me and I will give you 
permission at any time to remove as many as you 
wish. I am trying to get matters systematized, so 
that I shall know just how many men I have in camp. 
I only want to know who arc removed, when and 
where ; you may tell the ward-master to admit those 
you have with you, and I will see that they are not 
reported without leave." I left his office with a 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 71 

lighter heart than I had entered it, hastened down- 
stairs, did my errand, and returned home, where, to 
my great surprise, I found the Eev. Dr. J. A, B. 
Stone, President of Kalamazoo College. He has been 
to Fredericksburg to look after his son, and obtained 
for him a leave of absence. How many a father has 
visited that gory field in search of sons, and found 
them, if found at all, torn and mangled and bleeding, 
or, it may be, already cold in death. 

This evening I have been reminded of other days — 
those years so pleasantly and profitably spent at Kala- 
mazoo, which I shall always look upon as an era in 
the history of my life ; but other scenes far different 
now occupy my time. I am pursuing a course of 
study altogether different, but perhaps not less in- 
structive. Keceived a letter from John K. Stone of 
Ionia, containing a draft for forty dollars, cheerfully 
contributed by friends and acquaintances in response 
to an appeal made them to defray for a time my per- 
sonal expenses on account of the state of the finances 
of our association. I thank those dear friends in be- 
half of the soldiers, for it is in reality a gift to them. 

December 23d 

T spent the day in cooking at Mc Yey Hospital. 
All were so kind — doctor, steward and nurses — and 
the patients so grateful, that my work was a real 



72 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

pleasure. This hospital is not as comfortably sup- 
plied as most hospitals in the city ; I have furnished it 
with a number of sheets, pillows, and towels, besides 
what I have given to individual cases. During the 
past few days hundreds of wounded have arrived 
from Fredericksburg, among whom I have found a 
large number of Michigan soldiers — ^fourteen in one 
hospital. Doctor Stone accompanied me one day in 
my hospital visits, as he wished to learn something of 
the manner in which they are conducted. Before 
leaving for Michigan he added ten dollars to the 
amount I had received from home the day of his 
arrival. The doctor carries home with him my heart's 
best thanks. 

December 2^th. 

Another "merry Christmas ! " *' Merry," did I say? 
Sad and sorrowful would perhaps be more appro- 
priate. To me it has been a day both of joy and 
sorrow. I spent most of it in Grace Church Hospital, 
having been previously invited to assist about a din- 
ner to which the inmates have done ample justice. 
In all the hospitals, as far as I have yet learned, they 
have had a nice Christmas dinner. This is indeed a 
source of pleasure. But the thought that within the 
past few days many a home circle has been broken, 
many a hearth made desolate, and thousands of hearts 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 73 

wmng with anguisli, is cause enougli for sadness. 
Add to this the vast amount of suffering at' present 
endured ; list to the mournful music daily heard ; 
behold the lone ambulance slowly moving on to 
yonder cemetery; count there the newly-made graves; 
think of the dark future into which we are plunging, 
and it seems there would be no place left for joy. 
But it is not always best to look on the dark side of 
any picture; this ^gloomy cloud which at present 
hangs over our country may, after all, have a *' silver 
lining." All will yet be over-ruled for good; the 
Almighty has, I believe, a hand in this war, and he 
hath his own ends to accomplish. 

" His purposes will ripen fast, 
Unfolding every hour ; 
The bud may have a bitter taste, 
But sweet will be the flow«r." 

December ^Ist 

Busy as usual in going to the hospitals with divers 
articles. There is great excitement in town from the 
various rumors afloat — the rebels being reported "in 
considerable force at Mount Yernon." Our com- 
missary stores are in readiness to be removed at a 
moment's notice. 

With this day closes the year 1862. Oh, what 
memories cluster around the past I Terrible battles 



74 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 



have been fought, precious blood has been shed, noble 
lives sacrificed, widows and orphans multiplied. 
" The stars of night have wept o'er scenes of carnage," 
the earth has been drenched with the blood of her 
heroes, while the slain are in our midst. The sound 
of the war-drum is still heard calling the brave to 
the conflict. The lamp of sacrifice has not yet 
been extinguished, but burns brightly on every loyal 
hearth. 




THE BOYS IN WHITE. 75 



CHAPTER VZ 



MRS. MAY GOES TO THE FRONT — THE NEW HOME — IONIA FRIENDS 
— THE TWENTY-SIXTH MICHIGAN INFANTRY — SOLDIER AC- 
CIDENTALLY SHOT — A NEW YORK SOLDIER— SICKNESS IN 
CAMP — PHILIP HACKER— SORROW OF FRIENDS — DEATH OF 
LIEUTENANT BURCH — FALMOUTH — RAILROAD ACCIDENT — 
ANOTHER SAD SIGHT — A MEETING AT THE CAPITOL — A 
DAY IN WASHINGTON— THE MOVE — SAD MEMORIES. 

My work for the month of January was so similar 
to that of previous months, that to give daily extracts 
from my journal would only be a repetition of the 
same oldstory. 

Early in the month, my good friend, Mrs. May, 
with whom I had boarded three months, went to the 
front, taking her family with her, which compelled 
me to seek a home elsewhere. But the furniture * not 
being removed, I remained at the same place until the 
20th — Mrs. Windsor, of New York, remaining with 
me — when the furniture was sold at public auction. 
I then went to live with Mrs. Munsell, at No. 32 
Patrick street, the lady I have before mentioned as 

* Which was confiscated pi iperty. 



76 ' THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

accompanying the wounded from tTie battle-field of 
Chantilly to Alexandria. I found in her a true 
friend. But, ere the return of peace, she entered into 
her rest, her life having been worn out in the loyal 
cause. Her grave may be seen at a little Quaker 
settlement near Sulphur Springs, Maryland, whither 
she had gone to repair her wasted energies and declin- 
ing health. 

What fitting tribute shall we bring 

Thy memory to enshrine ? 
Fresh laurel-wreaths in early spring 

For thee will love entwine* 

Though missing my friends very much, and seeing 
some lonely hours, the old saying that " there is no 
great loss without some small gain," was verified in 
this case, as Mrs. Munsell very kindly shared with 
me the rations drawn from the Government, thus les- 
sening my expenses. 

I had scarcely become settled in my new home 
when, unexpectedly, I received a call from some Ionia 
friends. The surprise was as pleasant as complete. 
Before leaving, one of the party placed a sum of 
money in my hands, saying, " That is for your own 
individual self ;" but it went into the general fund to 
help defray expenses, " self" being an after-considera- 
tion. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 77 

I employed my time as -usual — evenings, in making 
pies, puddings, custards, stewing fruit, writing letters, 
making skirts, knitting socks, etc., and during tke 
day distributing my supplies among tke sick and 
wounded in tke various kospitals. I also continued 
visits to tke camps, procuring disckarges and bringing 
away tke sick. Tke weatker, muck of tke time, was 
cold and unpleasant, wind and rain, snow and mud, 
seeming to be tke order of tke day. 

During tkis montk, Camp Convalescent was remov- 
ed two miles fartkcr away — near Fort Blenker — wkere 
wood and water were plenty; and tke erection of 
barracks commenced, some of wkick were completed 
and occupied before tke close of tke montk. On tke 
wkole, a great ckange for tke better took place, but 
tkere was still plenty of room for improvement. A 
noble work was accompli'sked among tkose destitute 
neglected ones by Miss Bradley of Maine — a sanitary 
agent, kaving ker keadquarters in tkis Camp. Many 
a soldier can point to ker as tke means, under God, 
of saving kis life. 

A skort time before tke Camp was removed, we 
kad a few days of severe cold weatker. Tke sick 
were brougkt into Alexandria, several of tkem so 
nearly frozen tkat tkey never spoke afterwards. I 
saw two suck wko were taken to St. Paul's; tkey 
survived only a few kours, and died witkout returning 



78 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

to consciousness. Upon whom does the responsibility 
rest? There was blame attached to some one — a fear- 
ful neglect of duty somewhere. 

The Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry were at this 
time stationed near Alexandria, and doing provost 
duty in the city. As they had not been long enough 
in the service to become acclimated, they suffered 
much from sickness. Pneumonia, measles, typhoid 
fever and small-pox altogether did fearful work in the 
regiment. I supplied them from time to time with 
butter, fruit, jellies, wine, eggs, chicken, etc., besides 
pillows, towels, handkerchiefs, flannel (when needed 
and to be had), stationery, and the like. 

As the regimental hospital would not accommodate 
all the sick, many were taken to Alexandria. At one 
time I had on my list eighty names of men belonging 
to this regiment, in one hospital. At that time I had 
few acquaintances in the regiment, except among the 
sick, and " their name was legion." 

I remember the first time we heard the tramp of 
the soldiers of the Twenty-sixth. As they were pass- 
ing our door, some one of the family remarked, " We 
are safe now, for Michigan's on duty." Poor boys I 
some of them never knew what it was to perform a 
soldier's duty, for they died before having an oppor- 
tunity to strike one blow in defence of liberty — sacri- 
fices, nevertheless, to the cause. One of their number, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 79 

Ira Nash, was accidentally shot bj a comrade the 6th 
inst, from the effects of which he died the 25th. 
During those weeks of suffering, he was a perfect em- 
bodiment of patience. He entertained no feelings of 
resentment toward his unfortunate comrade who was 
the cause of his untimely death, but freely forgave. 
His brother came on as soon as he heard of the acci- 
dent, remained with him until he died, and then re- 
turned home with his remains to the young wife so 
soon left a widow, and the many friends who mourn 
their loss. 

Several of the Fifth Infantry wounded at Freder- 
icksburg died during this, the first month of the year 
— three in one hospital, all belonging to the same 
company. The sister of one of these — Albert Foot — 
came to see him, and with sisterly devotion watched 
over him until failing health compelled her to return 
home. Others of the same, and other regiments, died 
in different hospitals, whose names space forbids men- 
tioning. Oh, how often I thought of the friends in 
far-off homes when the lives of their loved ones were 
ebbing away. What would that fond mother have 
given to have taken the place of the stranger by the 
side of her dying boy ; or that devoted wife, could 
she have wiped the clammy death-sweat from the brow 
of her departing husband; or that loving sister to 
have spoken words of comfort to cheer her soldier- 



80 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

brother through, the "dark valley;" or the affianced 
to have performed the last kind office of affection for 
the one " dearer than all others " ? . . . . 

The month of February witnessed a great decrease 
in the number of patients in bur hospitals, some hav- 
ing been discharged, others returned to duty, a few- 
were transferred, while death removed its multitudes. 

The Twenty-sixth lost many a noble man from its 
ranks — something like eighteen or twenty. Among 
others who closed their earthly existence during this 
month was Corporal Philip Hacker of the Fifth, a 
noble Christian young man, who had chosen the min- 
istry as his profession. He was wounded in the hip, 
the ball never being extracted. He lingered an in- 
tense sufferer six weeks. I watched over him with a 
sister's solicitude ; saw him day by day grow weaker, 
his cheeks thinner and paler, until the sands of life 
ran out, and "he was not, for God took him." His 
poor sorrowing mother, who was on her way to see 
him, had already reached Washington, But, alas I 
hers was the consolation that the grave affords. It 
was hard for me to give him up, but who could 
fathom the depths of that mother's grief? But her 
cup was not yet full. After remaining with me a few 
days, she went to see another son, who belonged to 
the Second Infantry, then stationed at Fortress Monroe. 
This proved to be their last meeting ; at the siege of 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 81 

Knoxville he fell mortally wounded, a Minie ball 
having penetrated his brain. They left him buried 
where he fell asleep, in Tennessee. 

" O woman ! — noble, suffering heart — 
Hope for a fairer dawn ; 
The hand that dealt the trial 
Will give a bright'ning morn." 

It is the hope of this " bright'ning morn," the re- 
union in heaven, that makes this bereaved mother's 
grief endurable. It was sad indeed to witness the 
sorrow of friends who had come to look up their 
dear ones, and found them very often, alas ! already 
dead or dying. I can see before me, even now, a 
pale-faced sister watching by the bedside of a dear 
brother; but soon he passes away. Again, I see an 
aged father, bowed with the weight of years, whose 
locks are white with the frosts of many winters, 
watching day and night by his darling boy; but, 
after long weeks of suffering, the stern messenger 
comes, and none can stay his hand. There, too, 
comes the heart-broken widow, weeping bitter tears 
o'er her early slain, while her children look in vain 
for father's coming. Brothers, too, I see searching 
for brothers, and friend inquiring for friend. 

* * « -K- * * 

Among the many who died with that loathsome 
disease, !^mall-])ox, which prevailed to quite an alarm- 



82 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ing extent, was the young and gifted Lieutenant W. 
W. Burch, of the Twenty-sixth Michigan. 

The following lines were written upon his death 
by Sarah J. C. Whittlesey, of Alexandria, Ya. As 
they seem so appropriate, I will reproduce them: 

" Toll, toll for him, tlie youtMul one, O funeral bell of time! 
He died witli manhood's morning sun just risen at matin chime. 
Toll, toll for him, the youthful one, O solemn bell ! O funeral 
bell ! 

Cathedral bell of time ! 

" Mourn, mourn for him, the youthful one, O heart of life and 
bloom ! 
Death dimmed the splendor of thy sun, O earth ! within his tomb. 
Mourn, mourn for him, the gifted one, O kindred heart, O poet 
heart ! 

O heart of life and bloom ! 

" Moan, moan around the soldier's bed, O waves of the year's 
spring-tide ! 
Chant dirges o'er his buried head — in life's young spring he died. 
Moan, moan around the soldier's bed, O solemn waves ! 
sobbing waves 1 

O waves of the year's spring-tide ! 

" Weep, weep beside the stranger's rest, O heart of woman fair ! 
Far from a mother's faithful breast he died, and slumbers there. 
Weep, weep beside the stranger's rest, O mother heart ! O 
maiden heart ! 

O heart of woman fair I 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 83 

Eest, rest witliin our Southern land, young soldier, good and 

brave ; 
A wliite-rose wreath the stranger's hand will lay upon thy grave. 
For those who weep in far North-land — thy childhood's home 

a stricken band. 

Who mourn the lost and brave. 



The 9th of the month I went to Falmouth, with 
nearly four" thousand pounds of hospital stores, which 
had been brought from Monroe, Mich., by Mr. Mar- 
vin, designed expressly for those in the field. I was 
accompanied by Mrs. Munsell and Mrs. Beckwith — 
the latter a Massachusetts lady, whose husband was 
killed a few months before — who were also taking 
supplies to the army. We arrived at Aquia Creek 
in time for the three o'clock train, and at four were 
at Falmouth Station, where I had some trouble in 
getting my goods together, but finally succeeded, and 
then stationed myself as guard over them, remaining 
on duty until I could send a distance of three miles 
for transportation. Here Mrs. Munsell left me, as 
she was going to a different part of the army. It 
was about eight o'clock when Chaplain May jumped 
upon the platform near where I was standing. No 
lone sentinel at his post was ever more rejoiced to 
hear the approaching footsteps of the "second relief*' 
than was I to see the chaplain that evening. He 
brought an ambulance and large army-wagon, which 



84 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

were soon loaded, a guard placed over the remainder 
of my stores, and we on our way, throngli darkness 
and mud, to the camp of the Second Michigan, it 
being nearly ten o'clock when we arrived. I was 
delighted once more to meet my good friends, the 
chaplain's family and Mrs. Bonine ; and after partak- 
ing of a warm supper, which was in readiness, we 
visited, until reminded by the small hours of the 
night that it was time to retire. Presently we find 
ourselves stowed away for the night, six of us in a 
little cabin, perhaps eighteen feet by twenty, and are 
soon lost in the land of pleasant dreams. 

The next day was warm and agreeable. I assisted 
in distributing some of the supplies which I had 
taken down. Nothing was eaten with a better relish 
than the pickles and sour-kraut. There seemed to 
be a hankering for acids, the absence of which was 
the cause of much sickness. 

I made a short visit to the Lacy House, took a 
stroll along the bank of the Eappahannock, across 
which lies the once pleasant little town of Freder- 
icksburg, but now battered and broken ; beyond, the 
long lines of rebel fortifications could be seen, from 
before which Burnside was compelled to fall back 
only two months previous. Our troops and the rebels 
were picketing on opposite sides of the river, in speak- 
ing distance of each other. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 85 

The morning of the 11th I left for Alexandria, in 
company with Mrs. Bonine, wife of Surgeon Bonine, 
of the Second, who was starting for Michigan. This, 
my first trip to the army — though full of interest, 
and associated with pleasant memories — was not with- 
out sadness, for a loved one was missing from the 
decimated ranks of Xh.e Michigan Eighth, and the 
grave was daily closing over "somebody's darling." 
And, oh ! how many times I thought of the poor 
woman we met, when on our way to Falmouth, who 
was going to look after the remains of the last of 
three sons who had died in Freedom's holy cause. 
Sorrow - stricken, heart-broken, she sat with bowed 
head, only speaking when addressed. Her grief was 
too great for expression. When "Grandma Gage," 
from a heart overflowing with joy, can exclaim 

•* They're coming home ! they're coming home ! — 
Those four dear boys of mine — 
They're coming home from out the war : 
How bright the sun does shine!" 



she, from the bitterness of her soul, takes up the 
sad lamentation : 

" They have fallen ! they have fallen ! 
Where the battle-tempest roared — 
Where the blaze of strife was gleaming 
On each bayonet and sword." 



86 THE BOYS IN WHITE. . 

As the Ninth Corps was under marching orders, I 
daily looked for the return of Mrs. May and family, 
but saw nothing of them until the 25th, when I again 
took up my abode with them. 

On the 19th of March, a sad accident occurred 
near the Orange and Alexandria Depot. The cars 
were thrown from the track, killing four soldiers in- 
stantly, and severely wounding several others, two 
of whom died before night, and one the next day, 
while others lingered a few days, suffering more than 
death, before it came for their relief As soon as I 
heard of the accident, I hastened, with others, to the 
place, taking wine, lint, and bandages. Oh, shock- 
ing sight ! There, in an open car, lay the mangled 
forms of the dead and wounded. As soon as possible, 
the wounded were removed to the nearest hospital 
and kindly cared for, but the greater part needed 
care only a short time. 

A few days after this, I witnessed another distress- 
ing sight at Fairfax Seminary. A soldier of the 
Twenty-sixth Michigan was dying from bleeding at 
the nose, which had continued for several days. 
Every effort to check the flow of blood proved un- 
availing. It was pitiful to behold him. His face 
was of marble whiteness, while the red current issu- 
ing from both nostrils plainly indicated that the 
fountain of life would soon be dry, and so it was. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 87 

The brother who had come to care for him returned 
with the lifeless form to a bereaved wife and three 
fatherless children. 

Toward the last of the month, I received another 
box of goods from Ionia, and two from Jackson. In 
one of the latter was some clothing for myself; so I, 
as well as the soldiers, had reason for gratitude, 
which, I believe, on the part of neither was wanting. 

The evening of the 31st, I attended a meeting at 
the Capitol. Admiral Foot — blessings on his mem- 
ory — and " Andrew Johnson " were among the speak- 
ers. The address of each was characteristic of the 
man who delivered it. Admiral Foot, as might have 
been expected, recognized the hand of God in the 
war, and recommended the people to exercise more 
faith in his over-ruling providence, firmly believing 
that all would eventually work out, not only for 
God's glory, but for the best interest of our country. 
Mr. Johnson spoke at length of the state of affairs in 
Tennessee, and of the nation generally. He believed 
in meting out to traitors their just deserts — that stern 
justice, without any sprinkling of mercy, should be 
the portion of their cup. A slight change in his 
policy since then ! ! ! During the evening, President 
Lincoln, and several members of his cabinet, came in. 
As they entered, the audience rose to their feet; 
ladies waved their handkerchiefs, gentlemen threw 



88 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Tip their hats, while cheer after cheer went up for our 
chieftain, which echoed and reverberated^through the 
halls and great dome of the Capitol. Every heart 
seemed to beat in unison with the great heart of 
Abraham Lincoln, whose care-worn face too plainly 
told that it was not the weight of years, but the sor- 
rows of a nation, which were bearing him down. 
None could look upon his sad countenance without 
feelings of pity and a willingness to share the respon- 
sibility which rested with such crushing weight upon 
his shoulders ; and many were the expressions heard, 
like the following : " Poor Father Abraham I " " God 
bless him ! " '' Long live our President ! " 

It being too late to return to Alexandria after 
the close of the exercises, I improved the opportu- 
nity next day of visiting, with the rest of our party, 
some of the places of interest in Washington. We 
first went to the Navy Yard, where to me everything 
was new. We were shown through the different 
workshops where the deadly missiles of war, from the 
Minie-ball to the huge mortar-shells, were being rap- 
idly manufactured to be sent upon their destructive 
mission. Among the many things of special interest 
were several pieces of cannon captured during the 
revolutionary war. We paid a short visit to the 
White House, but reserved the larger portion of our 
time to be spent at the Capitol. This magnificent 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 89 

building, witli its seven liiindred and fifty feet front, 
and covering an area of three and a lialf acres, is a 
grand spectacle. I care not for the mighty cathedrals 
of the Old World ; here is beanty and sublimity com- 
bined — sublime in magnitude, and beautiful in its 
harmonious proportions. 

Ascending the long flight of marble steps, we pause 
a moment in the eastern portico to reflect on the 
scenes which have there been enacted. This portico 
is, in the language of one, " the vestibule to the great 
political temple of the Union," where all of our Presi- 
dents — from Jefferson down to our present incumbent, 
"A. J." — ^have, in the presence of the assembled thou- 
sands, taken the oath of office administered by the 
Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of the United 
States. There were uttered those Christ-like words : 
*' With malice toward none, with charity to all.'* 
We pass from this portico into the rotunda, and spend 
a little time in admiring the elegant paintings which 
adorn its walls. The finest of these are, I think, the 
" Embarkation of the Pilgrims " and the "Baptism of 
Pocahontas ; " but the most exquisite of all the paint- 
ings in the Capitol is the "Western Scene," which 
would require weeks of study to be fully appreciated. 
The Senate-Chamber and House of Eepresentatives 
are places of deep and thrilling interest. There were 
many vacant seats once occupied by men who had 



90 THE BOYS m WHITE. 

sworn to protect the G-overnment against all enemies, 
foreign and domestic, but who, with violated oaths 
and perjured souls, went over to the ranks of 
treason. But neither paintings, nor statuary, nor ele- 
gant rooms attracted my attention more than those 
massive bronze doors, executed by Eogers, in Italy, at 
great expense and a vast amount of labor. 

The 20th of April, the Twenty-sixth Michigan, ac- 
cording to orders, left Alexandria for the Peninsula. 
How much we missed them when they were gone, 
how sad we felt, and how we all cried when the 
boat shoved out from shore that was to bear them 
away to the field of strife I How long the injunction, 
" Take good care of Willie," rang in my ears ! How 
lonely that old building looked where Company " I " 
had been quartered! How deserted the old camp- 
ground appeared, how anxiously we watched for any 
intelligence from the Twenty-sixth, and how frequent- 
ly letters were received, ending with " Pray for me,'* 
and how often and earnestly we did pray that they 
might all be kept from falling in the fierce conflict ; 
but, if fall they must, that they might be made meet 
for the kingdom of heaven. 

Their sick were left at Alexandria. I had some- 
thing over a hundred names of my list belonging to 
this regiment. A large number were very ill, and 
many of them soon went to their long home. Oh, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 91 

what a long array of tliose poor sufferers pass before 
me in imagination as I write! There is one deliri- 
ous with fever ; he is constantly talking of home and 
mother. 

"My mother, dear mother, with weak, tearful eye, 
Farewell, and God bless you forever and aye ; 
Oh! that I now lay on your pillowing breast, 
To breathe my last sigh on the bosom first pressed." 

But in the stillness of the night, with no dear mo- 
ther there, he passed away. Here is another, a young 
man from my own county, over whom for many 
weeks I had anxiously watched; his. aged father is 
sent for ; the poor boy still lingers day after day and 
week after week, but at length he yields up his 
young life to the "King of Terrors," and the gray- 
headed sire is bereft of the staff of his declining 
years. Here again are two, lying side by side in 
the same hospital; one lingers long with typhoid 
pneumonia, the other is an intense sufferer with rheu- 
matic fever, who goes only two days before his com- 
rade. In the same ward is another — a Massachusetts 
soldier — to whom it was my privilege frequently to 
take some little delicacy. He is recovering from a 
long run of fever ; is able to be about the ward, with 
a fair prospect of going home soon on furlough, when 
he is suddenly seized with that disease of all others 
the most dreaded — small-pox; he is removed to the 



92 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

*'Pest House," and we see him no more. Here is 
still another, wounded in the head ; he has become 
a raving maniac, and is carried off to the Insane Asy- 
lum. There are others, many others, but the cata- 
logue would be too long to mention them all, yet 
such will ever be held in sacred remembrance. 

Oh ! sad memories of the past, how deeply are ye stirred ! 
The dying soldier haunts me still! 



Dying 'mong strangers — dying at night, 
Far from his home and his kindred so dear. 

Far from the loved ones he left for the fight, 

When he bade them farewell, with a kiss and a tear. 

Dying with fever — dying at morn. 

Just as the sun in the East had arisen; 
Leaving his widow and orphans forlorn ; 

But "tell them I died with my trust still in Heaven." 

Dying unconscious — dying at noon, 

Lo ! his comrades are closing his eyes ; 
The work of the soldier forever is done, 

But his spirit ascends to his God in the skies. 

Dying at evening — dying alone. 

Far, far away on the red field of strife, 
With no kindred near he leaves his last moan. 

And to the cause of his country yields up his life. 

Though dying alone, morn, noon or night, 
What matters it now the struggle is o'er? 

And his spirit is clothed in spotless white, 
With the marshalling hosts on the heavenly shore. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 93 



CHAPTER VII. 



BATTLE OP CHANCELLOR SVILLE — FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE— VISIT 
TO THE FIRST MICHIGAN CAVALRY — BRIGADE HOSPITAL — 
CHANTILLY — BULL RUN — THE BEREAVED BROTHER— MRS. 
BLAIR — GOVERNOR BLAIR'S ADDRESS — RETURN TO ALEX- 
ANDRIA — BACK TO FAIRFAX — STOUGHTON HOUSE— EXCIT- 
ING RUMORS — MOVEMENT OP THE ARMY — ALONE— NARROW- 
ESCAPE — MAINE LADY — AN EVENTFUL PERIOD. 

The month of May was mTich more eventful, at 
least with the Army of the Potomac, than any since 
December. Early in the month the army under 
General Hooker advanced on the enemy, and Sunday, 
the third, commenced the disastrous series of battles 
at Chancellorsville. All had the utmost confidence 
in " old fighting Joe." But after a protracted struggle 
of three days, he was compelled to fall back and re- 
cross tlie Eappahannock. The loss on both sides was 
heavy. Among the many brave men who there fell 
was the gallant Berry, A few months previous, I 
had the pleasure of meeting this noble officer. He, 
with Surgeon Bonine, unexpectedly made his appear- 
ance one cold morning in Alexandria, having travelled 
all night through snow and mud in their retreat from 



94 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Leesburg, whither they had arrived on their way to 
join their command, which was encamped somewhere 
near Snicker s Gap, in the Blue Kidge ; but, to avoid 
falling into the hands of the rebels who had cut off 
their advance, they were compelled to make this hasty 
retreat. They were weary and footsore, but early 
next morning were on their way again, and, by taking 
a different route, reached their command in safety. A 
few more weary marches bring him down to Chancel- 
lorsville, where' rebel balls fulfil their bloody mission. 

The rebels also lost one of their ablest generals — 
the "invincible Stonewall." What greatly added to 
the horrors of the scene was the burning of the woods, 
in which many of the wounded are supposed to have 
perished. Comparatively few of the wounded were 
brought to Alexandria, and none for several days ex- 
cept " Johnnies." 

Having been laid up nearly four weeks with inflam- 
matory rheumatism in my right ankle, I was com- 
pelled to suspend operations until about the middle 
of the- month, when, upon resuming my duties, I found 
a few of my old patients still quite sick, and some new 
arrivals ; but, on the whole, the number from Michi- 
gan, as well as from other States, had greatly dimin- 
ished since my last visit. 

The 20th inst. I went to Fairfax Court-House in 
company with Mrs. May and other friends. We had 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 95 

a brigade hospital at this place, there being four regi- 
ments of Michigan Cavalry encamped in the vicinity, 
three of which — viz., the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh — 
were scarcely six months from home; consequently 
these were suffering much from fevers and dysentery. 

After visiting these hospitals, which we found quite 
comfortable, yet lacking many things which the sick 
greatly needed, we found quarters for the night with 
the First 'Cavalry, where we were cordially welcomed 
and comfortably provided for. This was my first 
night in camp — the first time I slept in a tent — a 
novel idea, then. 

Next morning Colonel Tours offered us an ambu- 
lance, that we might visit Bull Kun battle-field, which 
we were exceedingly anxious to do before returning 
to Alexandria, having a twofold object in view when 
leaving home ; one being to see the field which had 
been twice fought over so desperately, and every foot 
of ground so hotly contested ; the other, to recover, 
if possible, the body of Colonel Koberts, of the First 
Michigan Infantry, who was killed at the second 
battle of Bull Run. Our instructions were such, from 
one who saw him buried, that we felt sure we could 
identify his grave. At eight o'clock A. M. we are on 
our way with an escort of thirty men detailed from the 
regiment, and several ofiicers, Lieutenant Wheeler in 
command. As Chantilly's once bloody field was but 



96 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

little out of our way, we visited that first. Oh ! what 
feelings I experienced as I stood and looked out upon 
that fiLeld, where, only a few months before, was mar- 
shalled for deadly combat a mighty host of noble 
heroes ! Among that niimber was my own dear 
brother ; upon this very field he fell ; here for days he 
lay beneath the scorching rays of a Southern sun, torn 
and mangled, bleeding, dying — no hope of ever again 
seeing home or wife or child. Then multiply his 
case by thousands, and oh, what a scene was here 
witnessed ! 

No wonder the gentle moon veiled her face, and the 
astonished heavens clothed themselves with blackness, 
and the Almighty uttered his voice in thunder-tones, 
while the howling of the elements strangely commin- 
gled with the groans of the dying. 

Spread out before us was that vast cornfield of 
which we had read so much, where such desperate 
fighting was done, and where so many hundreds fell. 
The tree near which the bold and fearless Kearney 
fell, was pointed out to us ; it was pierced with many 
balls ; there were those old buildings, battered and 
broken, to which many of the wounded were taken, 
and upon Whose rude floor they breathed their last. 
The strip of wood skirting the road bore marks of the 
terrible conflict which raged there — trees pierced with 
bullets, their branches scattered and torn, while the 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 97 

earth was plouglied with exploding shells. From many 
of the little mounds scattered far and near, human 
bones were seen protruding, and sometimes even the 
skulls were bare, so slightly were they covered. We 
wandered over the field, picked up a few balls and 
pebbles, and gathered a few wild flowers as sad 
momentoes of this sad place, and again " took up our 
line of march." 

Arriving at Centreville, we called to see General 
Abbercrombie — the commandant of the post — to have 
our passes extended, but, to our great disappointment, 
failed ; it being contrary to orders to pass so small a 
force beyond our picket-line, as the country was over- 
run with guerrillas. We went on as far as Black- 
burn's Ford, passing over part of the first Bull Kun 
battle-field, the very place where our own Richardson, 
with his band of noble heroes, so bravely fought. 
The country was one wide-spread desolation. At the 
ford we hoisted the stars and stripes over the ruins of 
the old bridge — which was burned by our troops in 
their retreat nine months before — sang several national 
songs, gathered a few relics, and, after resting our 
horses and partaking of a cold lunch, returned to 
Fairfax. Next morning all except myself returned to 
Alexandria. Never shall we forget our visit to the 
First Michigan Cavalry. The friendly cordiality that 
was manifest ; the camp so neat an 1 clean ; the dress 



98 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

parade and cavalry drill, such novelties ; the presence 
of ladies spending a little time with their husbands in 
camp, the hearty greetings of former friends, all com- 
bined to make our stay pleasant. Alas I how many 
of those brave boys, with their noble, kind-hearted 
colonel, subsequently fell in their country's service I 
They sleep the sleep that knows no waking. 

I remained at Fairfax until the 28th, sharing the 
hospitality of Mrs. Manning, matron of the Sixth. 
During these few days several deaths occurred, one 
peculiarly sad. He was the third of four brothers 
who came out together and died in less than three 
months' time. The fourth and only surviving one 
had stood by the dying bed of each of the three, and 
now he was alone. How deeply my heart was pained 
for him in his threefold affliction ! " Oh ! " said he, 
" I could bear it if father was only reconciled ; but 
he opposed our coming; he said we would all die, 
that the South would never give up, and that it 
would only be a useless sacrifice of life; but we 
didn't think so, we felt that it was our duty to come, 
and I have no regrets to offer ; they died in a good 



And not alone an Ellsworth sleeps, 

For guarding our bright starry banner. 

And not alone the nation keeps 

Its watch o'er Lyon's grave of honor. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 99 

" Otliers have fall'n for that dear flaff, 
Others as true and noble-hearted. 
And be it ours to cherish still 
The memory of the brave departed. 

" Immortalized shall be each hand 

That helped to make our arms victorious ; 
To live for liberty is grand, 
To die for liberty is glorious." 

While here, I met for the first time Mrs. Grover- 
nor Blair, whose presence was like sunshine. 'No 
truer friend had the soldier than Mrs. Blair; she 
was ever ready, heart and hand, to engage in work 
for our soldiers. I also had the pleasure of listening 
to the Grovernor's soul-stirring, patriotic address to the 
Sixth Cavalry. A day or two before leaving the 
place I rode out to the Chantilly farm, some four 
miles from Fairfax, on the Centreville road. Upon 
a portion of this farm the battle of Chantilly was 
fought. It was once a large estate containing several 
hundred acres. The large mansion was in ruins ; the 
yard surrounding it contained several acres ; the 
fences were all gone; yet it was lovely, even in its 
desolation. A gravel carriage way, with shade-trees 
upon either side, led from the two front gates to the 
house; shrubbery and evergreens dotted the grounds. 
In the rear of the mansion, near the garden, was a 
pleasant vine -clad arbor — everything indicating a 



100 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

once happy home, surrounded by every comfort. An 
aged couple of colored people were living there in a 
small cabin, probably their former quarters. The old 
man said that he had lived there *' a heap o' years," 
"that massa and missus and de chil'en run'd away 
when the Yankees come." When asked if they had 
been slaves, he replied, " Yes, missus, we'se alius 
slaves till Massa Lincoln free us." " How old are 
you, uncle?" some one inquired ; "I reckon I'se nigh 
onto a hundred," was his reply. We rode away, 
leaving the poor old couple to enjoy their solitude 
and their freedom. 

On returning to Alexandria, I hardly knew the 
place. The town had been treated to quite *'a scare." 
The rebels had become very bold and threatening; 
it was expected that they would make a sudden dash 
in some night. JSTew lines of fortifications had been 
thrown up, the streets stockaded, and cannon were 
even placed in position ; but we had no occasion to 
use them, and they were afterwards quietly removed. 

The next day after my return I went to Camp Con- 
valescent with fruit and clothing for our prisoners re- 
cently paroled, who were very destitute, as all returned 
to us from Southern prison-pens were. After return- 
ing from camp I visited six hospitals and the head- 
quarters of each division, and renewed my list of 
names ; to my surprise I found only sixty-five from 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 101 

Michigan, and the majority of those convalescent. 
Toward the last of May I received word from home 
that I could no longer depend upon my friends to de- 
fray my expenses — which they had been doing for 
five months. I was therefore obliged to fall back, as 
my only resort, upon the Association. The first of 
June I received instructions to return to Fairfax 
Court-House and remain until further orders, to which 
place I went the next day, in company with Mrs. 
Brainard, taking quite a supply of hospital stores. 
At Fairfax station, a couple of soldiers, who had kind- 
ly assisted in loading our goods at Alexandria, again 
lent us their aid, and succeeded in getting a wagon for 
our stores, while we, soldier-like, made the distance on 
foot. The day was excessively warm and the road very 
dusty ; but we rather enjoyed the walk — only four miles 
— nothing for soldiers ! ! Arriving at the Court-House, 
we took leave of our friends. Brown, of the Twenty- 
seventh Maine, I never saw again, as his regiment was 
soon after mustered out of the service. Sergeant Bab- 
cock, of the First Michigan Cavalry, I saw several 
times afterwards, but for a long time before the close 
of the war lost all track of him. I hope they have 
both been spared to see the return of peace, and long 
may they live to enjoy its blessings. 

Mrs. B. and I went directly to the head-quarters of 
the hospital of the Sixth, and after resting a few mo- 



102 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ments and partaking of a dinner which the matron — 
Mrs. Manning — prepared for ns, we made a tour 
through the hospital, which consisted of several tent 
wards and a large three-story brick house — the one in 
which General Stoughton was captured by the rebels 
a few months previous. I found that five had died 
since leaving them a few days before; there were 
still many others very sick. We each called for a 
towel and basin of water, and went to work bathing 
the feverish brows and dry and husky hands of ty- 
phoid's suffering victims. 

Mrs. Brainard remained a couple of days and re- 
turned to Washington. I was soon comfortably pro- 
vided for. Doctor Wilson, the Brigade Surgeon, fur- 
nished me with a good wall tent, which the boys 
fitted up nicely by flooring, making table, bedstead 
and chairs, and surrounding it with evergreens, which 
made my little home as pleasant and inviting as one 
could desire. 

About the first work I did was to clean the brick 
house of which mention has been made. I worked 
hard two days and a half, assisted by several soldiers 
detailed from the ambulance corps. The windows, 
paint and floors looked as though they had been for a 
long time strangers to soap and water. After I had 
finished cleaning, and arranged the beds to my liking, 
supplying those that were destitute with sheets and 






THE BOYS IN WHITE. 103 



pillows, I made flower-vases and bouquets with flowers 
gathered from Secesh gardens, and tried to make the 
place assume a somewhat home-like appearance. The 
Seventh seemed to suffer more from disease than the 
other regiments, yet there was much sickness in all of 
them. It was often my painful duty to stand by the 
dying-bed and go down with the departing soul to the 
^' Kiver s " brink. And then another sad duty re- 
mained — ^that of writing to the friends of the deceased ; 
and I sometimes thought this the saddest part of all. 
I never held a dying hand until the pulse grew still 
without wishing I might exchange places with some 
dear absent one. I will give an extract from a letter 
received from a bereaved wife, which will express the 
language of thousands of hearts : 

" How thankful I am for your kindness to one 
dearer to me than all earthly friends. Oh, it is hard 
to give him up 1 — it seems like tearing my poor heart 
in pieces. I would have given worlds, had I pos- 
sessed them, for the privilege of sitting by his side, 
as you did, even for one short hour. Oh, how anx- 
iously I had looked forward to his coming home, that 
we might once more enjoy life together. My dear 
husband did not go into the army for money or plea- 
sure, but because he felt it his duty to serve his 
country in her hour of peril, and to defend the old 



104 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

flag which had always protected him. . . . His poor 
little fatherless children, they know not what a bless- 
ing they have lost; but I am comforted with the 
thought that he is at rest." 

While I found much to do, I was quite well sup- 
plied with material to do with — our association at 
Washington sending me from time to time additional 
supplies. I recollect at one time, among other things, 
was a box of lemons, which was more acceptable than 
anything else, coming at a time when the weather 
was oppressively hot, and there being so many cases 
of fever. The Christian Commission gave me per- 
mission to draw from their stores such things as I was 
not supplied with. During my stay at this place, 
various and conflicting rumors were constantly afloat, 
causing much excitement and some alarm. I speak 
from personal experience. I had not as yet become 
accustomed to " camp rumors," and, though I did 
not feel particularly afraid, I did feel at times a " little 
agitated." 

The evening of the 7th, a messenger was despatched 
in great haste from division head-quarters to the hos- 
pital department with orders to hoist a " red flag " 
early the next morning, for it was reported that Lee 
was advancing in the direction of Fairfax. 

Soon we were summoned to go to work making 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 105 

flags. Accordingly we assembled in the basement 
of the " Stoughton House/' where a bright fire 
was blazing on the hearth, and went to work. We 
made two large flags, which at early dawn were 
spread to the breeze, in elevated positions, which we 
hoped would command the respect and consideration 
of the rebel chief. After finishing the flags, I packed 
my trunk, that it might be in readiness to send to 
Washington in the morning, should the report be 
confirmed. As for myself, I resolved, with the other 
ladies, not to desert the sick, but stay and share their 
fate, whatever it might be. It was quite late when 
we retired that night, and I must confess my sleep 
was somewhat disturbed with unpleasant dreams: 
several times I awoke and listened to hear the tread 
of the advancing foe, but listened and looked in vain. 
Again, on the 26th instant, there was considerable 
excitement at our department. Moseby, it was feared, 
would make a sudden dash into camp before morning, 
and carry off considerable plunder, if no prisoners. 
That evening Dr. Spalding was called to go to the 
camp of the Sixth — some nine miles distant — to see 
an of&cer who had been taken suddenly sick. Before 
leaving, he handed me the key to his trunk, saying : 
" If Moseby should make a dash in here to-night, try 
and secure my papers, and, if possible, my money." 
But I did not have a chance to display my bravery. 



106 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



or to call into exercise my skill in secreting valuables ; 
and yet our fears were not at all times groundless, for 
the country was infested with roving bands of guer- 
rillas, ever ready for plunder. Occasionally a man 
shot on picket by these desperadoes was brought in, 
and not unfrequently a squad of cavalry-men was sent 
out to scour the country for these worse than rebels. 
Skirmishes and battles were of frequent occurrence. 

The 9th, a severe cavalry fight took place at Bever- 
ly Ford, on the Eappahannock, and, a week later, 
the battle of Aldie. Everything indicated that an 
active, and, we hoped, a decisive campaign was about 
to open. 

The 14th, news was received that Hooker was on 
the move, and early the next morning this report was 
confirmed, for the wagon-train of the Twelfth Corps 
was actually parked within sight. Soon the artillery 
began to come in, and then the infantry. All day 
and night troops continued to arrive, until the great 
Army of the Potomac was encamped around us. The 
thousands of camp-fires, and the fine martial music 
discoursed by various bands, made it a scene surpass- 
ingly grand. A day or two after, I witnessed the 
artillery review by General Hooker. I have no words 
to describe it. 

* * "Sf * * * 

But the ever-shifting scenes of war soon chano-e the 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 107 

programme, and those weary, foot -sore troops are 
again on the move, as yet scarcely rested from their 
fatiguing march from Fahnouth, through heat and 
dust almost intolerable; but, before leaving, a kind 
providence sent a plentiful shower upon the thirsty 
earth, laying the dust and cooling the heated atmos- 
phere ; otherwise the number of those who gave out 
by the way must have been greatly increased. 

General Hooker retained his head-quarters at 
Fairfax a few days longer, but was soon after super- 
seded by General Meade, who, with this mighty 
army, was soon engaged in the terrible conflict of 
Gettysburg. 

Hooker was soon after assigned to a command in the 
West, and a few months later we hear of him " fight- 
ing above the clouds" at Lookout. 

"Ah! see where the chief leads on his stern band, 

'Mid the swift hail of death so calmly advancing, 
To strike the proud bulwarks by rebel hosts manned, 

Death certain and quick from every side glancing. 
*Tis now the mid-hour of the battle's dread light ; 
Oh! faint soldier, say, how goes the fierce fight? 
Our broad starry banner, our hope and our pride, 
Doth it rise, doth it fall on the mountain's dark side? 

" Amid the cannon's loud roar and the shriek of the shell, 
The wave of fierce battle rolls louder and higher; 
Enveloped in smoke, hoarse shouts alone tell 

That our hopes are still rushing on through that fire ; 



108 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

But see where it glides up the mountain's dark side, 
Now lost in the smoke, now flaunting out wide. 
Oh, rebellion has fallen ! let traitors despair, 
For our banner now floats in the mountain's pure air." 

Later in the afternoon of the 24:th, orders came to 
break up our hospitals, and before daylight the next 
morning the sick were all removed; at sunrise the 
cavalry were on the move. Mrs. Mary weather, 
matron of the Fifth, going with them on the march, 
Mrs. Manning had an opportunity to go to Wash- 
ington, on horseback, while I was left alone to get 
away aa best I could with the remainder of my stores. 
Oh, how lonely and desolate everything appeared! 
Tents struck, blankets, pillows, and dishes scattered 
about, nothing left in the line of edibles but '* hard 
tack." Of all the loneliness I ever experienced that 
day caps the climax. The first thing I did was what 
any silly woman would have done — gave myself up to 
a good cry ; and then I went to work packing up, and 
trying to save the best of the bedding. About noon 
a drizzling rain came on, which added gloom to loneli- 
ness. I had about made up my mind that I should not 
get away that day, and was trying to fix up some nice 
little speech to make to his excellency, Mr. Moseby, 
in case he should give me a call, which, in all proba- 
bility, he would do before morning — when, as mis- 
ery likes company, I was not a little comforted to find 



.1 



THE BOYS IN- WHITE. 109 

that Eev. Mr. Chapin, a " Christian Commission " del- 
egate, had not left the place, but was also waiting an 
opportunity to remove his goods to the station, and 
who would likewise be honored with the company of 
this distinguished guest (! ) But my little speech was 
never made, for about three o'clock transports came to 
remove the hospital stores. On the arrival of the 
first team, I hastily inquired of the driver if he would 
take a few things for me to the Station. *' Yes," he 
replied, " and yourself in the bargain.*' What a sud- 
den change came over the face of everything ! Even 
the misty rain, a short time since so gloomy, is now 
just what we need to lay the dust. How pleasant and 
cheerful the plain, homely face of the driver looks : no 
fears now of *' Moseby and Co." Being provided for 
myself, I next interceded, successfully, too, for Mr. 
Chapin. Our goods are soon piled into the wagon, 
and we quite comfortably seated on the top of the 
load with our heads reaching the canvas above ; but a 
queen in her chariot was never happier than I. The 
farewell look is given Fairfax, and we are off for 
the station, but are too late for the train, so have 
to wait until six o'clock, when the last train leaves, 
and we have no more communication with the place 
for several months. The balance of army supplies 
not removed up to that time was burned. Arrived 
at Alexandria about eight o'clock, in the rain and mud. 



110 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



In looking over the paper tlie next morning, about 
the first thing I noticed was "Moseby at Fairfax 
Court-House. " Two Union ladies living a few miles 
from Fairfixx, in the vicinity of Vienna, wei-e made 
unwilling captives. 

* * * * -x- K- 

As I was returning from Washington the next 
day, where I had been to look after my Fairfax 
patients, I met on the boat a lady with a little child, 
who had come from Maine to see her husband, 
who was sick at Camp Convalescent, What a look, 
almost of despair, was depicted on her countenance 
when she learned that this camp was nearly four 
miles from Alexandria, the going very bad, and 
there being no public mode of conveyance. "Oh ! " 
she exclaimed, ''What shall I do? what shall I do? 
Were it not for my child, I would go on foot." It 
was my happy privilege to relieve her distress by 
assuring her that a way should be provided. Arriv- 
ing at Alexandria, I ordered an ambulance and 
carried her to the camp. What a happy meeting! 
Had I never before seen gratitude, I saw it then. 

In working for the soldiers, every little deed of 
kindness was so fully appreciated, and so richly 
rewarded with thanks and tears, that there was a 
pleasure experienced in it no where else to be found. 

The month of July, 1868, was an eventful period 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. Ill 

in the history of the nation. A period of hope and 
fear^ of joy and sorrow, of excitement and alarm, 
of bloody conflicts, of defeat and victory, of untold 
suffering and death. 

Lee's advance into Pennsylvania, the terrible battles 
of Gettysburg, of Falling Waters, the surrender of 
Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the wearisome march 
from Vicksburg to Jackson, in which so many died 
from exhaustion, from thirst and the oppressive heat, 
the re-taking of Jackson, the capture of Huntsville, 
Morgan's raid into Ohio, the great draft riot in New 
York, and much else of importance that transpired 
during the month of July, are too well remembered 
to need repetition here. The nation has not yet 
forgotten the joyful tidings, that the discomfited Lee 
was in full retreat from Gettysburg; nor the wild 
bursts of enthusiasm, the sTiouts of victory that rent 
the air when the news came flashing over the wires 
that Vicksburg, " the city of an hundred hills," " the 
heroic city," had fallen. Fortune, the " fickle god- 
dess," so long, it would seem, in league with the enemy, 
became propitious and smiled upon our cause. 



112 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



PLACES OF INTEREST IN ALEXANDRIA — BALTIMORE— A SINGULAR 
STORY — DEATH OF A MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIER — THE SERI- 
OUSLY WOUNDED — ERIE—MY SISTER'S SICKNESS — HARRIS- 
BURG — YORK — REBEL WOUNDED — A PARALYTIC — WASHING- 
TON HOSPITALS — FREQUENT BATTLES — NEW ARRIVALS — 
MRS. GRAY — AFFLICTED FRIENDS — DR. TRUE. 

On" returning to Alexandria I found comparatively 
few Michigan men in the hospitals, and these mostly 
convalescent; therefore my work in this place en- 
tirely ceased for several weeks. 

Among the few places of interest to a stranger visit- 
ing Alexandria is the little brick church where 
George Washington used to worship. Though the 
building has undergone repairs, the old-fashioned 
square pew formerly occupied by this good man and 
his family remains unchanged ; the plate on the door 
bears this inscription : " Washington's pew." An- 
other place of interest is the " Slave Pen." Within 
this dingy enclosure thousands of human beings have 
been crowded like cattle for the market, and from 
thence brought forth to the auction-block. It still 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 113 

bears the name of him who once trafficked in flesh 
and blood. " Kice & Co., Dealers in Slaves," may to 
this day be seen — though dimly — over the main en- 
trance. A fresh coat of paint has been added, as if 
ashamed to stand out boldly in the pure light of 
liberty. But the place of all others of the most deep 
and thrilling interest in this slavery-cursed city, is 
the place where "the Boys in White" lie sepulchred. 
At the present time — November, 1869 — instead of 
three hundred turfless graves, as at my first visit, 
there are more than thrice as many thousand grass - 
covered .mounds, each with a neat, white head-board 
bearing the name of him who fell in freedom's holy 
cause, or that saddest of all sad words, " Unknown." 

To this sacred "rest" long pilgrimages will be made 
through coming years by those who mourn the loved 
and lost, and who, "with cautious step and. slow," will 
wander amid this sea of graves, anxiously looking for 
some cherished name. 

Near the entrance stands a little rustic chapel, oc- 
cupied by a one-armed soldier, who has charge of the 
grounds — which are most beautiful, being interspersed 
with trees, shrubbery and flowers, while cooling foun- 
tains and pleasant arbors adorn the quiet place. 
Henceforth, in the spring-time of the year, willing 
hands will cull sweet flowers as a floral offering to 

our heroic dead! 
s 



114 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

" Forever be these sacred fields 
Decked in immortal beauty, 
Wbere sleep the brave who fought and fell 

For freedom and for duty. 
They lie on glory's camping-ground, 

On high their deeds recorded ; 
No nobler act on history's page. 
On fame's, no prouder lauded." 
* 4f * * ^ "X- * 

The 16th of July I was called to Washington, 
where I received instructions to go to Baltimore, as 
many of the wounded had arrived there from Gettys- 
burg. I was greatly disappointed, for I had earnestly 
hoped to be sent to Gettysburg, believing that I could 
do vastly more good there than any where else at 
that particular time. However, on the morning of the 
18th I took the eleven o'clock train for Baltimore. 
On the way I fell in company with a lady who called 
herself Jimmeson, though her true name, she told me, 
was Frank Abel. Her story was indeed a strange 
one. It was as follows: Her husband entered the 
service with the rank of captain in a Kentucky regi- 
ment of cavalry, and she as his first lieutenant. Her 
husband was killed at the first battle of Bull Eun, 
after which shie was employed as a scout by General 
Sigel. She had endured many hardships, visited 
several battle-fields, and assisted — as she belonged to 
the medical staff — in performing amputations and 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 115 

dressing wounds. She was once captured by the 
Eebels and confined in Libby Prison several weeks ; 
but at the time of which I write she claimed to be 
a Government detective in the City of Washington, 
and was then on her way to Baltimore to arrest a 
woman with whom she had had a quarrel. What 
became of her after we parted at Baltimore, whether 
she found her victim or not, I never learned, for I 
have neither seen nor heard of her since. 

Arriving in Baltimore, I proceeded directly to the 
Eev. Mr. Eeid's, where I obtained board. This was 
the same Christian family by whom sister and I were 
so kindly and hospitably entertained when we first ar- 
rived in Alexandria on our sad mission. 

There were six hospitals in Baltimore, situated from 
one to four miles apart. As a general thing I found 
them more comfortable than any I had previously 
visited ; and yet there was much suffering which the 
most tender care could not alleviate. I will give a 
single extract from my journal which will convey 
something of an idea of the sad, distressing scenes 
there witnessed : 

July 28th. 

Visited Jarvis Hospital, and distributed lemons, 
oranges, and blackberries. This has been one of the 
saddest visits I have made since coming to Baltimore. 



116 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

In one of the wards was a sergeant of the Ninth 
Massachusetts volunteers, dying. His wife and moth- 
er had just arrived. The dying man recognized 
them, and, taking the hand of his wife, kissed her, 
and then kissed his mother, bade them farewell, 
closed his eyes, and was soon gone. The circum- 
stances of his death are most aggravating. His 
wound was dressed with bandages and lint taken to 
the hospital by rebel women, which, upon examina- 
tion, were found sprinkled with cayenne pepper. He 
suffered the most excruciating pain from the time 
the bandages were first used, which so irritated and 
inflamed the wound that death was the result. After 
escaping the deadly effects of rebel lead, a fiend in 
friendship's guise takes his life. A hundred deaths 
at the hands of a manly foe would not be half so 
trying. But this is only another example of the 
malignity and cruel hatred born of and nursed by 
Secession. At the dying man's head was one se- 
riously wounded, and a great sufferer, while at his 
feet was another, holding in his hand a letter from 
home, containing the sad news that two of his chil- 
dren lay at the point of death. His quivering lip 
and tear-dimmed eye were more potent than words 
in expressing his overwhelming sorrow. In another 
ward was a poor man who had lost both eyes ; by 
his side was a young boy with a sweet, pale face, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 117 

who, in addition to his wounds, was delirious with 
fever ; a few cots from him was another young man 
with five wounds, whose clenched hands and con- 
vulsed frame expressed untold agony. A little far- 
ther along was an old man with a deep sabre-cut in 
his head, and another in the back of his neck ; 
another was suffering greatly with a wound in the 
ankle. Time would fail me to mention the many 
with an arm off, a leg amputated, wounded in the 
head, in the lungs, and in every other conceivable 
manner. From none of those with whom I have 
conversed to-day have I heard one word of regret 
expressed for going into the army; but, on the con- 
trary, many were anxious again to cross sabres and 
try their muskets with the enemy. It is an aston- 
ishing fact that, notwithstanding all the suffering ex- 
perienced in our hospitals, an air of cheerfulness 
pervades them all. It seems unaccountable, unless 
we look upon it as a miraculous display of God's 
all-sustaining power and grace. 



Next day I again visited the same hospital, taking 
sundry articles for distribution. While there I at- 
tended the funeral of the sergeant whose sad death 
I have already noticed. Services were held in the 
open air, beneath the spreading branches of beauti- 



118 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ful shade- trees. The solemn scene was one not soon 
to be erased from memoiy. The young wife and 
aged mother were the only mourners to follow his 
remains to the grave. But, alas ! how many a poor 
soldier dies with none to drop a tear to his memory 
until the intelligence is borne over mountains and 
across valleys, through fruitful plains and gloomy 
forests, to some humble cottage on the lawn. Oh! 
then what tears are shed — and all the more bitter 
because they cannot even fall upon the grave of him 
they loved so well. And yet there is a still deeper 
grief. Many there are, who, could they only know 
where their dear ones sleep, would feel that the bit- 
terest dreg was removed from their cup of sorrow. 
Alas ! their fate will only be known when the great 
book of God's accounts is unsealed. Many a heart 
responds to the painful truth expressed in the fol- 
lowing words: 

" Not among the suflFering wounded, 
Not among the peaceful dead, 
Not among the prisoners — ' Missing ' — 
That was all the message said." 

On the evening of the 30th, as I returned from 
my work, I found a letter informing me of the dan- 
gerous illness of my eldest sister — Mrs. Clark — re- 
siding in Erie Co., Penn., and an urgent request to 
come to her immediately. At eight o'clock I was at 



■ i| 



THE BOYS EN WHITE. 119 

the depot waiting for the first train going West. 
Arriving in Erie I found my sister still living, 
though but little hope of her recovery was enter- 
tained ; yet it pleased a kind Providence to spare 
her life. I remained with her until she was con- 
sidered out of danger, and then returned to my hos- 
pital work, leaving her in care of another sister — 
Mrs. Smith — who had already been with her nearly 
two years, her husband being in the army. I can 
even now see the pale face of my poor sick sister as 
she threw her arms around my neck and gave the 
parting kiss, saying, as she did so, "I shall never 
see you again on earth." Ah ! I have since expe- 
rienced the bitter truth of those words ; for, in little 
more than a year from that time, she went to her 
eternal home. 

"She is not dead, but sleepeth!'* 
Resting from the toils of life — 
Safely moored her bark, and anchored 
Far from earthly care and strife. 

" She is not dead, but sleepeth ! " 
Once the gracious Master said 
To those who sought Him, weeping 
And sorrowing for their dead. 

" She is not dead, but sleepeth ! " 
In the grave so calm and still. 
She waiteth for the trumpet's call. 
Resting in her Father's will. 



120 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

''She is not dead, but sleepetli!" 

Thy blest words, O Christ, we trust ; 
For though the body slumber long, 
Thou wilt raise the mouldering dust. 

Then cherished friends, long parted. 

That glorious morn shall meet ; 
All washed from sins in Jesus' blood. 

And in a Saviour's love complete. 

And kindred souls, united, 
Their way to heaven shall wing; 

While, with their songs triumphant, 
The heavenly arches ring. 

According to instructions, on my return to Wash- 
ington I stopped at Harrisburg, and spent three days 
in visiting the six hospitals in that city, looking up 
Michigan soldiers, and supplying immediate wants. 
Rebel wounded were scattered through all of these 
hospitals, faring the same as our soldiers. Entering 
into conversation with them, I inquired what hope 
of success the South had left, and their unanimous 
reply was, " Our cause is hopeless." The Federal vic- 
tories of July had well-nigh discouraged them. They 
expressed great surprise at the kind treatment they 
received ; they had not expected this at the hands 
of the hated " Yanks." 

At York, the city so disgracefully surrendered to 
the rebels a few months previous, there was but 



THE BOYS IN WHITE 121 

one hospital ; it consisted of barracks built upon an 
extensive plan. While here, I visited the city ceme- 
tery, where about fifty of "the boys in white" were 
buried. As I stood by those turfless mounds, my 
heart was deeply pained, and I wondered that, in a 
large Northern city, no hand was found to plant a 
single flower upon a soldier's grave. But though 
neglected, though without turf or flower, 

" On fame's eternal camping-ground 

Their silent tents are spread, 
And glory guards with solemn round 

The bivouac of the dead." 

The 2d of September I took leave of my sick and 
wounded boys, of whom I found so many more than 
at Harrisburg, and returned to Washington, where 
the work of visiting hospitals in both that city 
and Alexandria was assigned to me, as Mrs. Brain- 
ard had not yet returned from Gettysburg, whither 
she was sent soon after the battles in July. My 
first visit was to Alexandria. Among the many 
whom I found in those hospitals was one peculiarly 
sad case. Near the centre of a large ward lay one 
whose motionless appearance attracted my attention ; 
I noticed that he did not even make an effort to brush 
away the flies that were crawling over his face. On 
going to his cot I found that he was a complete para- 



122 . THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

lytic ; he could only move his head slightly and the 
little finger of one hand. This severe shock of par- 
alysis was occasioned by striking his head against a 
stone while driving. He had then been in that condi- 
tion several months, with very little perceptible 
change ; but he was hopeful, and believed that he 
should get well. Poor boy ! I often thought how true 
in your case the saying, " Were it not for hope, the 
heart would break." During his stay at the hospital 
I saw but little change for the better, and never heard 
from him after he left it. I often think of the poor, 
pale-faced, patient, hopeful paralytic, and wonder what 
has become of him. 

Of the fourteen large hospitals in Washington, ten 
consisted of barracks and tents, containing from 
twenty to thirty, and even as many as eighty wards 
each. The barracks would accommodate from fifty 
to sixty patients each, and the tent wards about twenty. 
These buildings were not all constructed upon the same 
plan, but were variously arranged. In some, the bar- 
racks extended along three sides of a square enclosure, 
with head-quarters at the front ; in others, they enclosed 
a triangular piece of ground with head-quarters at the 
apex; while in others this building was in the centre, 
with barracks extending to the right and left, and tents 
m the rear, and thus on for all the others — each being 
constructed upon a plan mdependent of the rest. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 123 

Within the enclosed space were the kitchen, dining- 
room, chapel, and laundry, and the balance of the 
ground was devoted to gardening purposes and to the 
cultivation of flowers. The front yards were also beau- 
tifully laid out, containing gravel walks, evergreens, 
flower-beds, and in some were cooling fountains. The 
barracks were long, one-story, whitewashed buildings. 
In going through some of these, it seemed like enter- 
ing the home of the fairies: the long row of cots on 
either side of the ward, with their clean pillow-slips 
and snowy counterpanes, the walls adorned with 
paintings and beautiful frames made by convales- 
cents, while to each piece of scantling overhead 
were tacked sheets of red, white, and blue tissue- 
paper curiously cut, each piece representing the differ- 
ent corps badges. There was the new and full moon, 
the plain and Maltese cross, the clover-leaf, the 
diamond, the star, the acorn and the cross-sabre. The 
slightest breeze would keep these silken curtains 
gently swaying to and fro, making the sight really 
enchanting. 

All hospitals were not thus highly favored with 
tasty wardmasters and nurses ; but in some they 
seemed to vie with each other in seeing whose ward 
should be the most gorgeously and beautifully 
decorated. 

The work of looking up from all these hospitals 



124 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

those belonging to any particular State was no light 
task, yet it was done by several State associations 
besides our own. Perhaps no more thorough or effi- 
cient work of the kind was done by any State than 
Massachusetts. Maine did a noble work for her 
soldiers, but her agents were more generally employed 
in the field, where there was a greater need of 
laborers. At this time, Michigan men were largely 
represented in the hospitals in Washington. At Lin- 
coln I found seventy, at Finly forty, about the same 
number at Campbell, a large number at Armory 
square, and so for all the hospitals in the city, 
besides the many at Camp Stoneman, Camp Conval- 
escent, and Fairfax Seminary. 

Every few days accessions were made to our already 
large numbers by fresh arrivals from the army, as the 
cavalry were almost constantly on the skirmish-line, 
and engagements frequently occurring. The 13th of 
the month — October — there was a brisk fight at Cat- 
tell's Station ; the 14th, at Bristow Station ; the 18th, 
near Manassas Junction, and a few days later at 
Beverly Ford ; and thus the army continued to fight, 
and the wounded to arrive. The sixth of the month 
the steward of the Ninth Cavalry came from Culpep- 
per with a large number of sick. He reported the 
sick at that place in a very destitute and neglected 
condition. On his return I sent a few things by him, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 125 

only, however, what he could take in the car with him, 
as I could not get transportation for even one small 
box. I tried to get a pass to go down with supplies, 
but orders were imperative — there was no use trying. 
Mrs. Gray, a lady from Pontiac, Michigan, worked 
hard for weeks to obtain a pass that she might go and 
see her sick husband, who was supposed to be lying 
at the point of death ; but all in vain. Tears and en- 
treaties were alike unavailing. She frequently went 
with me to the hospitals and assisted in the work of 
distribution, thus trying to forget her own sorrow 
while administering to the wants of others. Another 
lady, Mrs. Brockway, came from Michigan to obtain, 
if possible, the body of her son, who was killed a few 
days before her arrival ; but she could go no further. 
Through the influence of our State agent — Dr. Tunne- 
cliff — the family succeeded in getting an order for his 
body to be sent to Washington. For her husband 
who was sick she obtained a furlough, and returned to 
her home rejoicing while she mourned. 

Octoher ISiL 
Instead of attending church this morning, I went to 
Stanton Hospital with delicacies for the sick. I will 
mention a few special cases of suffering which I wit- 
nessed in one of the wards, and which will be a fair 
specimen of the average of such in the other wards. 



126 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

There was one poor man almost distracted with pain 
in his head, the effects of a sun-stroke ; the only re- 
lief he could find was in bathing his head in cold 
water. Near him was one very low with typhoid 
fever, uttering incoherent expressions about "battles" 
and "marches," and " home" and " mother." A little 
further down the ward was a poor fellow who was 
brought in last night — having been picked up by the 
road-side, in a senseless condition — and has not yet 
returned to consciousness. His physician says he can 
not survive, and, as he has no papers, or any means 
by which he can be identified, another will soon be 
added to the long list of the "unknown." Soon after 
returning home, a Mrs. Smith, from New Jersey, 
called, and requested me to return with her to the 
same hospital. She had come to see her sick son; 
but, upon her arrival at the hospital last evening, 
found that he was already dead, and was requested by 
the surgeon, when she asked to see him, to wait until 
this morning, as it was then late. On going to see 
him this morning with the hope of following his 
remains to the grave, she found, to her horror and 
amazement, that he was already buried. The officer 
who had charge of the burying was deeply grieved 
that he had not been notified of the arrival of the 
mother of the young man, while the doctor could 
only plead forgetfulness as an excuse for not inform- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 127 

ing him. The only consolation left her — and that a 
poor one — was to visit his grave. An ambulance was 
ordered, and we drove out to the " Soldier s Home." 
It was now dark ; the undertaker directed us to the 
spot, and there, by the aid of a lamp, that widowed 
mother was permitted to look upon the newly-made 
grave, which contained all that remained of her -only 
son, upon whose breast a few hours before the cold 
earth had been heaped. While I wept with this sor- 
rowing mother, I was filled with indignation at the 
outrage to which she had been compelled to submit. 
If that surgeon possessed the common feelings of hu- 
manity, he would have ordered the body disinterred, 
and thus have given the poor woman the little conso- 
lation she might have obtained from gazing once more 
upon the features of her darling boy ; but even this 
sad privilege was denied her. To-morrow she returns 
to her lonely home, whose light has been forever 
extinguished. 

* * * * -jt ?{. 

Among the sick at Campbell Hospital, at this time, 
were two Michigan soldiers, very low with typhoid 
fever. The father of one of these was with him, and, 
after a long illness, his poor, sick boy, unexpectedly 
to us all, recovered. The other, poor Warren Max- 
field — the patient, uncomplaining boy (all were boys 
in the army) — lingered long weeks on the narrow 



128 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

space wliich separates the "now from the hereafter" 
before he began the other life. I never think of him 
without recalling a little incident .that occurred a few 
days before his death. He wanted a small package of 
green -tea, which of course was granted; "for," he 
said, " I really believe it would do me good. Not 
that I care to drink so very much, but I want some to 
smell of, it would seem so reviving, and would remind 
me of home, for we always drink green-tea at home." 
I relate this to show how all the influences and cus- 
toms and associations of home were remembered and 
cherished by those poor sick and dying soldiers. It 
will be a consolation to his friends to know that in his 
last sickness he was kindly cared for. If skilful 
medical treatment and good nursing could have saved 
life, neither he nor any in that ward would have died, 
for, according to the testimony of his patients, Dr. 
True was one of the most faithful and efficient sur- 
geons to be found in any of our hospitals. When any 
under his charge were dangerously ill, he would often 
visit them four and five times during a single night, 
watching every symptom and noting every change, 
whether for better or worse, and only relinquishing 
hope with the last expiring breath. Oh, how much 
the world needs such humane, Christian physicians ! 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 129 



CHAPTER IX. 



MORE TROTTBLE WITH DOCTORS — DISCHARGE-PAPERS DELATED— 
RECORDS EXAMINED — THE REPORT — REMOVAL OF A SUR- 
GEON — DISCHARGE BY DEATH — A SURGEON QUARRELS WITH 
ONE OF HIS PATIENT'S — HIS REMOYAL — LOW STATE OF OUR 
FINANCES — THOUGHTS OF DISORGANIZING — THE APPEAL 
FOR AID — RECEIPT OF GOODS — A SELF-SACRIFICING MOTHER 
—BATTLE NEAR KELLY'S FORD. 

October 19th, 

I WENT to Alexandria this morning to learn 
whether the reports concerning the treatment of some 
of our boys in a certain hospital in that city were 
true. Arriving at the hospital, I asked for a list 
of the Michigan men who were there, obtaining 
which, I started to go through the wards, when an 
orderly came running after me, saying : " The doctor 
says you can't go through the hospital." This was 
something new, and I began to think there was some 
truth in the reports. I went directly to the doctor's 
of&ce and inquired what all this meant. He replied, 
"You must have a written permit from Dr. Bently, 
who is surgeon-in-charge of this division, before you 



130 THE BOYS IN WHITE, 

can go through my hospital." I still insisted on 
going through, without waiting to see Dr. B., whose 
office was nearly a mile from there. " Well, then," 
he said, '* I will go and see him myself, and you can 
wait until I return." " But I can't wait, doctor ; I 
shall go through the wards while you are gone," was 
my reply. He hesitated a moment, and then said: 
" Well, you may go through them this time. I guess 
it will be all right." " I know it will be all right, 
doctor," I answered. He left the hospital, while I 
made a tour of inspection through it, and, before 
leaving, I was convinced that the reports in circula- 
tion were not wholly without foundation. . . . Not 
long after this, I called to see Dr. Bently and in- 
quired if it were necessary for me to have a pass 
from him, in order to be admitted to the hospitals 
in his division, and then related the unpleasant inter- 
view with one of his surgeons. " By no means," he 
said. "And you tell the doctor for me, that you 
have the privilege of visiting my hospitals as often 
as you wish, and at such times as best suit your con- 
venience. If you have any more trouble, let me 
know." But I managed to fight my own battles 
thereafter, without calling upon him again, and at 
length gained the victory, as will be seen a few 
pages hence. 

A few days after, I again visited the hospital, tak- 



THE BOYS IX WHITE. 131 

ing with me, among other things, two large bottles of 
blackberrj-wine, designed for special cases. At the 
door I was informed by the guard that the doctor was 
not in, and that he had given him positive orders to 
admit no one — not even the President of the United 
States — during his absence. I did not wish the sol- 
dier to violate orders, but I did want to be admitted. 
I finally obtained the desired permission from the 
sergeant of the guard. I left the wine in care of one 
of the nurses, with instructions to give none of it to 
the patients until the doctor's return ; if it met his 
approbation, well. Seeing no cause for offence, I left 
the hospital before his "highness" returned. But 
upon my next visit I learned that the doctor, upon 
his return, was mad with rage, and, seizing one of the 
bottles, hurled it out of the window — the other was 
saved by being hidden under the sick man's pillow 
for whom it was intended— shamefully abused the 
guard, threatened the sergeant (which, haply, was 
all he could do, there being a limit to his power), and 
declared that his orders should be obeyed. He for 
whom the wine was hidden took it without the doc- 
tor's knowledge, and recovered; while the other — 
poor Mr. Kinney — died a few days after. I do not 
know that, in the former case, the wine hastened the 
sick man's recovery, neither do I believe that it 
retarded it As to the other, I do not think it would 



132 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

have saved life or hastened death ; but there being so 
little hope of his recovery, and he so anxious to take 
it, it seemed cruel and inhuman to deny him. fjet 
the case be as it may, with reference to those in ques- 
tion, there were many instances in which blackberry- 
wine was the means of saving life and restoring 
health. 

Not long after this, I made application to this same 
high official (!) — a contract surgeon, with the rank of 
lieutenant — for the discharge of two soldiers, viz., 
Steven Benson, of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and 
Daniel Peters, of the Sixth — the former sick with 
consumption, the other with chronic diarrhoea. I was 
informed by the doctor that these two persons had 
already been examined for discharge, their papers 
made out, and forwarded to the office of the Medical 
Director for approval. This of course satisfied me; 
but I always made it convenient, whenever I went 
to Alexandria to call and inquire concerning them. 
Weeks passed, and nothing was heard from them. I 
again went to the doctor, and inquired " if he could 
account for the delay." He replied : " I made up 
my mind some days ago that they were lost, and have 
had them made out the second time, and I have no 
doubt they will be returned in a few days." I now 
felt doubly sure that all was as he had said. 

After waiting a reasonable length of time, I went 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 133 

over again — for T felt exceedingly anxious about them 
— when, to my surprise, I learned that nothing had 
yet been heard from them. I returned to Washing- 
ton, went to the Medical Director's, and inquired why 
it was those papers were so long delayed. The 
records were examined, and I was informed that no 
such papers had ever been received there. I insisted 
that it must be, as they had been sent the second 
time. The books were again referred to, and carefully 
examined, but with the same result as before. I left 
the of&ce, and immediately reported the facts to our 
secretary, who reported the same to the committee 
appointed by the Secretary of War, to investigate all 
such matters. What weight this report had with the 
committee I did not learn, but I was satisfied to know 
soon after that that surgeon was removed from the 
hospital. The discharge papers were then made out, 
but ere their return to the hospital poor Benson had 
received his final discharge from earth. Peters lived 
to go home, but whether he recovered or found an 
early grave I know not. 

Not long after this I accompanied Mrs. Brainard 
to one of our hospitals in Washington. As we entered 
the building, we were confronted by the surgeon-in- 
charge, who demanded of Mrs. B. to know what she 
had in that basket. "Flannel shirts and drawers," 
she replied. "Well, you can^t take them into my 



134 THE BOYS IN- WHITE 

Hospital," was his quick and irritable response, at the 
same time seizing the basket and endeavoring to 
wrench it from Mrs. B's. hands ; but, nothing daunted^ 
she gave a sudden jerk backward and cleared it from 
the doctor's grasp, saying, as she found herself in 
full possession of her goods, " I understand my busi- 
ness, sir, and am going to take my things into the 
hospital." Mr. "Pomposity" passed on,'' and we 
entered the office at our left, where we were greeted 
with a graceful salute by the officer of the day, who 
pleasantly inquired, "What can I do for you this 
morning ? " Our request, being made known, is cheer- 
fully granted, and our basket is soon made lighter 
and the sick boys happier. The difference there was 
in officers will readily be seen from this incident. A 
little "brass" did wonders for some; it made them 
arrogant, overbearing, dictatorial and tyrannical, while 
with others it made no difference whether they wore 
the corporal's stripe or the general's star. Garments 
of blue, though bordered with gold, have no power to 
crush the generous impulses of a noble soul. The 
true gentleman is discernible in any garb, and under 
all circumstances. The surgeon with whom we had 
this encounter soon after got into trouble with one of 
his patients. One cold morning before daylight, one 
of the wards of his hospital took fire. This patient, a 
convalescent from pneumonia, was the first on the roof, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 185 

where he remained throwing bucket after bucket of 
water upon the burning building, until the fire was ex- 
tinguished. As his clothes were dripping with water 
when he descended, he applied for some dry ones ; but, 
as none could be obtained from the ward, he appealed 
to the surgeon, who ordered him back to his ward, tell- 
ing him he could dry his clothes by the fire; he still in- 
sisted upon having some, and the doctor still refused, 
and again ordered him to his ward. By this time the 
soldier's anger was pretty well aroused, and, confront- 
ing the doctor with clenched fist, says, " Take care, 
doctor, I have smelled gunpowder, and that is more 
than you have done," at the same time planting 
a blow between his eyes that caused him to stagger 
and nearly fall to the floor. Rallying from this stun- 
ning blow, he called out, ''Guards, guards, come and 
take this man away." The order was obeyed, and 
he was locked up in the guard-house. The conse- 
quence was a relapse, which for a long time threatened 
his life. But, once released without having charges 
being preferred against him, and having a good under- 
standing of military regulations, he found that he 
had the advantage of the doctor, and he improved it 
by preferring charges against him. The result was, 
that in a few weeks we had another surgeon in charge 
of the hospital — one whom the patients, as far as I 
ever knew, honored and respected. 



136 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

I have known other surgeons who deserve^^ as little 
respect as those here referred to ; but, to the honor of 
the profession be it said, they were not in thv, majority. 
I knew many noble, skilful, self-sacrificing surgeons 
in the army, whose whole energies were devoted 
to the making of their hospitals pleasant and their 
patients comfortable. 

Toward the close of the month of November the 
finances of our Association became very low. No 
money was received to replenish our exhausted 
treasury — no supplies reached us, if I mistake not, 
except a few boxes from Lansing. Had it not been 
for stores received from other States than our own, 
our work would almost entirely have ceased. 

In addition to what Mrs. Brainard received from 
New York and Maryland, a nice barrel of goods 
was sent me from Harbor Creek, Pa., another from 
Portland, Me., and a firkin of pickles from an aged 
lady living in Hampden, Maine. The work of pre- 
paring these had all been done by herself; but her 
labor was a thousandfold repaid in gratitude and 
thanks and the good accomplished. 

We occasionally drew from the Sanitary and Chris- 
tian Commissions, and the various State Relief Asso- 
ciations, and thus managed to keep at work. For 
occasional drafts on the Sanitary Commission we 
were indebted to the personal efforts of our State 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 137 

AgL ;. TunneclifF. In the barrel of goods which 

I have entioned as coming from Maine, was a suit 
of clothes once worn by Captain Crosby, of the 
Twenty-second Maine volunteers, who was killed at 
the battle of Port Hudson. The clothes were sent 
by his patriotic mother, with the request that they 
be given to some needy Maine soldier, as she wished 
them to be worn out in the service in which her 
dear son had fallen. What a noble example of self- 
sacrificing devotion to country! 

In order to lessen expenses, Mrs. Brainard — who 
had returned from Gettysburg a month before — and 
I took rooms together and boarded ourselves. A 
meeting of the officers of the Association was called 
to consider the subject of disorganizing; but they 
concluded to try and maintain the organization until 
spring, for they could not bear the thought that 
Michigan — the first to form a State Eelief Associa- 
tion at the National Capital — should be the first to 
abandon it An appeal was made through corre- 
spondence, by our Secretary, to Governor Blair, mem- 
bers of Congress, and other persons of influence in 
the State, setting forth the exhausted condition of 
our treasury and storeroom, and inquiring what course 
to pursue. The uniform response was: ''Don't for 
a moment think of discontinuing your labors as a 
society." An appeal was then made to the people of 



138 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

our State, and not many weeks elapsed ere as ^* call 
was heeded, as the supplies received proved. Bat- 
tles and skirmishes were of no unfrequent occur- 
rence. A large number of wounded were brought 
in from the battles near Kelly's Ford — Michigan not 
losing as heavily as Maine and Wisconsin. The 
Sixth Maine, in one engagement, lost eighteen com- 
missioned officers in killed and wounded. 

Among those who were passing, one after anoth- 
er, into the unknown world, was William Doyle, of 
the Third Michigan volunteers, whose death was 
sudden — unexpected. He was convalescing from in- 
termittent fever, and had written to his wife, stating 
the time she might hope to welcome him home, as 
he had applied for a furlough which he was daily 
expecting. He predicted rightly. The time of his 
arrival was only a little delayed. But, alas ! only 
the clay tenement returned to rest where loving 
hands would bedeck its tomb with flowers, and the 
tears of affection water his grave. 

" Underneath the sod low lying, 
Dark and drear, 
Sleepeth one, who left in dying 
Sorrow here. 

" Yes, they're ever bending o'er him 
Eyes that weep ; 
Forms that to the cold earth bore him. 
Vigils keep. 



THE BOYS IN- WHITE. 189 

" When the summer moon is shhiing 
Soft and fair, 
Friends he loved, in tears are twining 
Chaplets there. 

" Rest in peace, thou gentle spirit 
Throned above ; 
Souls like thine with Qod inherit 
Lite and love I " 



140 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE VETERAN RESERVE CORPS — UNWILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN 
IT — FORTY DAYS IN THE GUARD-HOUSE — CLIFBURN BAR- 
RACKS—EXPOSURE — AN OLD soldier's STORY — SUNDRY 
DUTIES — CHRISTMAS — THE SURPRISE — PROFESSOR HOLDEN 
— A BEREAVED MOTHER — VISIT TO THE ARMY — FIELD 
HOSPITALS — STEVENSBURG — MRS. MAYHEW — CHAPEL SER- 
VICE — RETURN TO WASHINGTON. 

In the autumn of 1863 the Veteran Eeserye Corps 
was organized, and all soldiers whom examining 
boards pronounced unfit for field service, but able to 
do "light duty," were transferred to one of the three 
battalions into which it was divided. Prior to being 
assigned to either of these battalions, they were quar- 
tered at Clifburn Barracks. In this camp there was 
much suffering from exposure and neglect. Nights 
were cold, barracks uncomfortable, bunks with no bed- 
ding, except the soldier's blanket. Many a poor fel- 
low lost his life in consequence of exposure during his 
stay at Clifburn. In the majority of cases, the trans- 
fer to this organization was made against the soldier's 
wishes, who, if able to do duty, preferred to be sent to 
his regiment. But a soldier's duty is to obey orders, 
irrespective of his wishes. I recall several instances 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 141 

in which soldiers were severely punished for refusing 
to serve in the "Invalid Corps," as it was called. I 
will mention one. A soldier was kept in the guard- 
house forty days, court-martialed three times, and he 
still refused to put on the " Invalid " jacket. An 
appeal in his behalf was finally made to the War De- 
partment, when the Secretary ordered his release. 
He had always been a good soldier, never refusing to 
do duty in the field, and he insisted, as he could no 
longer serve his country there, he should receive his 
discharge. I knew others who would refuse to be 
transferred, but, after lying in the guard-house a few 
days, would submit. One, who had been a good sol- 
dier in the field, seemed to consider it a disgrace to 
serve where there was no danger, or, if not a disgrace, 
there was at least no honor attached to the service. 

The hospital connected with this camp was never 
as well supplied as those in the city. Disease in 
almost every form found its way thither — fevers, 
pneumonia, rheumatism, that insidious disease — con- 
sumption, and even small-pox. Upon one of my next 
visits to this hospital, I found a young man of the 
Seventh Michigan, who was a great sufferer from 
inflammatory rheumatism. He was extremely anx- 
ious to go home, and requested me to see the surgeon 
in regard to his discharge. On inquiry I found that 
his papers would be ready as soon as he was able to 



142 THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 

travel. He was removed to Mr. Clark's — formerly of 
Ann Arbor, at that time residing near the hospital — 
where, with the most tender nursing, he so far recov- 
ered as to be able to go home in a few weeks. He 
continued to improve for a short time after reaching 
home, but was suddenly taken worse and died ; and 
another victim was added to the many occasioned by- 
neglect and exposure while at Clif burn. 

It may be asked whose business it was to care for 
these. I answer, the Sanitary Commission. After 
the Government had provided barracks and blankets, 
it was the place of this great organization to begin 
where the Government left off, and to have made 
those convalescents comfortable. Thousands of dol- 
lars were almost daily being poured into its coffers 
by patriotic, self-sacrificing friends in the North, and 
in three days' time, and even less, after those barracks 
were occupied, they should have been supplied with 
plenty of good, warm bedding ; and vegetables, in 
large quantities, should have been daily issued. 
Many valuable lives would thus have been saved 
to gladden homes now lonely and desolate. Let 
honor be given where honor is due. This commis- 
sion did, as it ought with the means at its disposal, 
a world of good ; but there was at times bad manage- 
ment somewhere, and an injudicious use of its funds, 
for, while its supplies were wasting and rotting in 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 143 

store-houses, soldiers were suffering and dying for 
want of them. It may be argued that this could not 
have been avoided, there sometimes being a scarcity 
of help ; but that could easily have been remedied, as 
hundreds — yea, thousands — stood ready to "volun- 
teer" their services — all they wanted was the privi- 
lege of working for soldiers. Or these wasting goods 
might have been given to other societies, which would 
have gladly received them, and with willing hands 
prepared and distributed them to those for whom 

they were designed. 

****** 

As I was leaving camp, after the visit to which I 
have referred, I was met by a soldier who wished me 
to ascertain whether his discharge-papers had been 
forwarded to the office of the Medical Director. 

I returned to the office and made inquiry concern- 
ing them, and learned that they were to be forwarded 
that afternoon. ISTotifying the soldier, I again started 
for home, but, before passing the limits of the camp, 
I was hailed by an old man with silver locks and 
bent form, who wished to know if I could do any- 
thing for him. " If so, for God's sake," he said, "ren- 
der me some assistance." I listened to his story, 
which was indeed a sad one. It was as follows : 

When the war broke out, he was the owner of a 
handsome property in Missouri. He was driven from 



144 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

his home bj rebel hordes, his buildings were burned, 
and all personal property either destroyed or confis- 
cated. He came North, when himself and three sons 
enlisted in the Union army. His sons had all been 
killed — the last one, a little drummer-boy, only a 
few days before — and himself nothing but a wreck. 
He had served nearly three years in the ranks as a 
private soldier, and now asked to be discharged from 
the service. " You have made a great sacrifice," I 
said. *' Yes ; but we did it cheerfully. The country 
is worth it all, and a thousand times more," he answer- 
ed. " If I could do any good by staying longer, I 
would not ask to go home ; but, you see, I'm of no 
account now," holding up his thin, emaciated hands. 
"The boys were fine lads; but they're gone, and I 
shall soon follow." I was moved to tears by his piti- 
ful story, and again retraced my steps to the office, 
briefly related the old soldier's statement, and re- 
quested that he might have an early examination, and 
obtained a promise that he should. The poor old 
man, on hearing this, was too grateful to express his 
thanks ; he could only say, '' God bless you ! God 
bless you, my child ! " His discharge at length came. 
He called to bid me " good-by," before leaving the 
city; but whether he now lives to enjoy the blessings 
for which he fought, or has gone to meet his sons on 
the further shore, I cannot tell. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 145 

Once again T endeavored to make my exit from 
camp, but was met bj two more requesting a similar 
favor; but, not daring to trespass upon the doctor's 
good-nature any more that day, I told them they 
would have to wait until I came again, and so made 
my escape. 

Not long after this I spent nearly half a day in 
running about trying to get transportation for a 
soldier of the Nineteenth Maine, who had obtained 
a furlough. How glad I was when I saw the poor old 
man on his way to the depot, and how richly paid I 
felt for my trouble, when he turned and said, as I 
parted with him, "Good-by, God bless you; I'll tell 
my wife I shouldn't have got home these two days 
if you hadn't helped me.'^ Then, with what an elastic 
step he hurried on, lest the train should leave him, 
forgetting that he was weak and feeble. It will be 
seen from these few incidents that our duties did not 
consist altogether in preparing and distributing sup- 
plies. In fact, that was but a small part of our work 
— there were, at almost every visit, so many errands 
to do, questions to answer, and messages to deliver, 
that they greatly increased our labors, but these were 
only parts of the great whole. 

The 24th inst. Mrs. B. and I spent the entire day in 
cooking, as we wished to surprise the boys at Clif- 
burn by giving them a little something extra for din- 



146 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ner the next day ; all the hospitals in the city were to 
have a " Christmas dinner," and we feared this would 
be wholly overlooked. Our fears proved true, as far as 
those not in the immediate hospital department were 
concerned. 

Christmas came, bringing chilly winds and biting 
frosts ; but before noon we were on our way to Clif- 
burn with well-filled baskets, accompanied by a 
couple of soldiers who volunteered their assistance. 
Arriving in camp, it was heart-sickening to see those 
who had left homes of plenty, crowding around us, 
and, like children, begging for a piece of " Christmas 
pie ! " The remembrance would not be so sad could 
all have been served, but there were hundreds who 
received nothing ; and, when all was given out, they 
fell back a few paces, and gave three rousing cheers 
for the Michigan ladies, those who received nothing 
cheering with the rest. Oh, could these have shared 
the bountiful Christmas dinners at home, how many 
hearts would have been gladdened and made happy ! 
As we were ready to start upon our mission that 
morning, we were met at the door by Mr. Moses, who 
surprised us, Mrs. B. and myself, with a present of 
forty dollars each, in behalf of Michigan gentlemen 
residing in Washington. The gift was truly ap- 
preciated. 

The 28th of the month, Mrs. Brainard left for 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 147 

Michigan, and did not return until about the 1st of 
April ; so I was again left alone, with the work that 
both had been doing devolving upon me. 

Supplies continued to reach us — many through 
the personal efforts of Mrs. Brainard. I also received 
a nice barrel of goods from Brighton, Mich., and 
another from Harbor Creek, Penn., also ten dollars 
in money. The last day of the month, I was happily 
surprised by receiving a call from Professor Holden, 
formerly of Kalamazoo College. He found me busy 
at work preparing articles for distribution. After 
asking many questions, and inquiring into the nature 
of my work, and how long I had been engaged in it, 
he said : " We didn't know what we were preparing 
you for, when you were with us at Kalamazoo. We 
never dreamed that you would so soon engage in a 
work like this." His heart was in full sympathy 
with the good cause, and, when about to leave, he 
placed a five-dollar bill in my hand, saying, as he did 
so, "I will add so much to your Christmas present." 
If, as he turned away, he was five dollars poorer in 
purse, he was much more than that richer in bless- 
ings. 

One afternoon, as I was returning from Alexandria, 
I met a lady on the boat, whom a few hours before 
I had seen in a hospital anxiously inquiring for her 
son. She was sitting alone in one corner of the 



148 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

cabin, rocking to and fro, wringing her hands and 
sobbing aloud, apparently oblivious to all around her. 
I at once divined the cause of her sorrow, which her 
own words confirmed — she was too late ! They were 
just closing his coffin when she found him. It seemed 
as though her poor agonized heart must, break. He 
was her only son, his term of enlistment had nearly 
expired, and she was joyfully anticipating his speedy 
return home, when the dreadful tidings reached her 
that he was mortally wounded — accidentally shot by 
a comrade. The first train that left after she re- 
ceived this sad message was bearing her away from 
her Eastern home to the coffin-side of her dead. The 
hope of 'receiving from his own lips his last words 
and dying blessing had buoyed her up during that 
sad journey; but this last hope having been taken 
from her, she was overwhelmed with grief No words 
of mine could afford her consolation. Like Rachel 
of old, she refused to be comforted. " My poor boy ! 
oh, my poor boy ! " she continued to repeat amid tears 
and sobs, until we parted at Washington. 

The 14th of January, I went to the army with sup- 
plies for our sick in field hospitals. Arriving at 
" Brandy Station " — some seventy miles from Wash- 
ington — I was set out in the mud with my goods, 
no one to meet me as I expected ; cold, gray clouds 
were hanging overhead, and a chilly wind whistling 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 149 

among the tents. Here, for the first time, I experi- 
enced the great difficulty there was in finding any 
particular regiment in the army. Each seemed like 
a little isolated town, so wholly absorbed with its own 
cares and duties that frequently the nearest encamp- 
ment was neither known by name or number — recog- 
nized only in the broad sense of " Uncle Sam's boys." 
Yet there was a common interest and sympathy ex- 
isting among all who wore the army blue ; no matter 
what part of the Union they hailed from, they were 
all enlisted in the same cause, fighting beneath the 
same flag, and for the same grand result. 

Having my goods removed to a little rise of ground 
where the mud was not quite so deep, I climbed its 
slippery side and took my post as guard ; but, in spite 
of my vigilance, a firkin of butter was carried off, 
though I recovered it — taken through mistake of 
course ( ! ! ) 

On inquiry, I was surprised to find that no one 
there even knew that there was such a regiment in 
the army as the Twenty-sixth Michigan — neither 
could they tell me' anything about General Custer's 
Cavalry Brigade. I next inquired for the First Divi- 
sion, Second Corps — to which the Twenty-sixth be- 
longed. "About four miles from here," was the re- 
ply. It was getting late; there was no possible 
chance that I could see to obtain accommodations at 



150 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

tlie station over night. The roads were almost im- 
passable, and, as yet, I had no conveyance and no 
prospect of procuring one before the next day. My 
first thought was to store my goods and start on foot, 
but I was dissuaded from this course by the boys de- 
claring that I could never get through if I started ; 
and I afterwards learned how utterly impossible would 
have been the undertaking. But what was to be 
done ? Everything looked discouraging, and I almost 
felt like giving up in despair. I resolved, however, to 
make one more effort to get some sort of a convey- 
ance, and again inquired if there were not a Second 
Corps ambulance still at the station ? I had asked the 
same gentleman several times before, and every time 
received a negative reply — a positive " no." But, not 
knowing what else to do, I kept repeating my ques- 
tion, and this time a doubtful answer was given by 
one who really seemed to pity me in my deplorable 
condition ; and the very doubt expressed in his reply, 
*' I think not — however, 1*11 go and see," kindled a 
new hope in my heart. In a moment he disappeared 
behind boxes of "hard tack," bales of hay and sacks 
of grain, while I remained in statu quo^ being for once 
the central object of attraction. This soldier was soon 
the bearer of good news : the only ambulance remain- 
ing would leave in a few moments. The driver soon 
made his appearance, who kindly offered to take me 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 151 

to the Twenty-sixth, as his regiment — the Eighty-first 
Pennsylvania — was brigaded with the same and en- 
camped near it. What goods I could not take with 
me were stored with the Provost Marshal until the 
next day. Those four miles through deep mud, over 
corduroy roads and across bridgeless streams are at 
length made in safety, and the driver returns to his 
quarters rich in the possession of a few pounds of 
sweet, yellow butter, while I am heartily greeted and 
cheerfully welcomed to the cabin homes of the Twen- 
ty-sixth. Many regrets are expressed that my letter 
had not been received, in consequence of which no 
one knew of my arrival at the station. But that tedi- 
ous waiting in wind and mud is soon forgotten, for 
familiar faces, pleasant smiles, and cordial greetings 
are met on every hand. 

I could hardly realize that this was the same regi- 
ment that; nine months before, we bade adieu as it 
left the shores of Alexandria for the seat of war. 
To some of their number, alas ! it proved a long 
farewell, for they were left sleeping their last sleep 
on the bank of i^e James. After resting a little 
and partaking of a warm supper, which was prepared 
with neatness and dispatch, I paid a visit to the 
hospital, which reminded me of the home of the 
pioneer. It consisted of a low, one story log cabin, 
with two rude chimneys and a ruder floor. On 



152 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

either side of the room was a row of cots, which 
consisted of pine boughs and a blanket laid across 
poles elevated a little from the floor, with another 
blanket, or perhaps two, for covering — sheets and 
pillows they had none. These were occupied bj 
the sick. 

As I passed through the hospital, stopping a few 
moments at the bedside of each patient, and telling 
them I had come with sanitary stores which had been 
sent by friends at home expressly for them, their 
countenances brightened, while some declared that 
they felt a hundred per cent, better for knowing 
they were thus kindly remembered. 

Upon a calm, still day, with two blazing, crackling 
fires, the hospital, though rude, presented a pleasant, 
cheerfal aspect; but, upon a damp, windy day, this 
cheerful aspect was driven away by dense volumes of 
smoke, which would come pouring down the chim- 
neys, making it almost impossible to remain inside; 
yet all seemed to think it was the best that could be 
provided for them under the circumstances, and un- 
complainingly submitted to their, hard lot. There 
was considerable sickness in the regiment at this 
time, one great cause of which, I have no doubt, was 
the location of the camp — it being low and wet, and, 
I am sorry to say, was poorly policed. Death was 
not an unfrequent visitor. Some three or four, in as 



■ 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 153 

many days, had obeyed his stera mandate and gone 
— ah I whither ? 

" Ask not — the lonely hearthstone tells 
Too plain the mournful story: 
Gone, in their beauty and their pride, 
To swell the ranks of glory." 

At my next visit, a few weeks later, I was ahle to 
report a great change for the better. In the absence 
of superior officers. Major Saviers — a man possessing 
rare executive ability — was in command. The camp- 
ground had been drained, sidewalks of split wood 
built, the streets bordered with evergreens, and many 
other improvements made. 

Leaving these poor sick men cheered with the 
promise that, as soon as my goods arrived, they 
should be made more comfortable, I was given carie 
hlanche possession of a little cabin, which I found 
" swept and garnished " after the most approved style 
of the soldier. A bright fire was blazing on the 
hearth, a narrow cot — similar to those in the hospi- 
tal — stood in one corner of the room, a rude table in 
another, and a camp-chair in the third. These, with 
a couple of shelves on one side of the cabin, contain- 
ing sundry culinary articles together with the accou- 
trements of war, constituted the owner's household 
goods. Being quite weary I retired early, yet I can- 



154: THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

not say tliat I felt much rested next morning ; but I 
wondered all the more how those poor sick men could 
lie upon such beds. 

As soon as my goods arrived I furnished the hos- 
pital beds with sheets and pillows, the patients with 
clean handkerchiefs and a few dressing-gowns, besides 
dried fruit, jellies, wine, and butter, also papers and 
magazines. I found several sick in their quarters 
which the hospital could not accommodate; these I 
visited and supplied with such things as they were 
mostly needing. Never was anything, I am sure, re- 
ceived with more gratitude than were those few sup- 
plies which it was my pleasure to distribute. 
' This regiment, unlike many, was blessed with a 
kind and faithful surgeon, and a chaplain worthy of 
the name. My next visit was to the Fifth and Sixth 
Cavalry; but there was far less sickness in these 
regiments than when I visited them at Fairfax, not- 
withstanding their increased hardships and exposures, 
their frequent raids, skirmishes, and battles. But 
many, for whom this toughening process was too se- 
vere, had fallen out by the way, and were left to 
sleep in unmarked yet honored graves. At the little 
broken, dilapidated town of Stevensburg, where fences 
and *' hoops" were unknown, and sallow faces gave 
evidence of the "dip" — where chimneys were lean- 
ing from perpendicular as if contemplating a change 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 155 

of base, and where windows could boast of more rags 
than panes of glass — was our Cavalry Brigade Hos- 
pital ; but it contained comparatively few sick. Good 
nursing and proper food, no doubt, would have saved 
any who were in the hospital at that time. The beds 
were much better than those in infantry hospitals. 
Each cot was furnished with a tick filled with hay, 
which was obtained by cutting the horses' rations a 
little short ; but, in other respects, they were about 
on a par with field hospitals generally. Here I dis- 
posed of the remainder of my goods, and, on the 
morning of the 17th, left the sick, with a promise to 
come again soon, with a larger supply of sanitary 
stores. Arriving at Brandy Station, I found the train 
had left, and, not knowing what to do, I appealed to 
the Provost Marshal, from whom, to my great relief, 
I learned that Mrs. Mayhew — an agent for the Maine 
Association — had her head-quarters in an old building 
not far away. The house was pointed out, and, in a 
few minutes more, I was the welcome guest of this 
excellent lady and her friend, Mrs. Painter, of !N"ew 
Jersey. It being the Lord's day, we attended service 
at the 0. C. chapel. That was a day long to be 
remembered. How solemn the service! And what 
a good class — or speaking-meeting — followed ! What 
a beautiful sight to see those brawny, stalwart sol- 
diers stand up for Jesus! Early Monday morning 



156 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

I assisted in feeding a train of sick who were on 
their way from Culpepper to Washington. These 
ladies held themselves in readiness to start with 
broth, crackers, tea and coffee, as soon as a train 
of the sick or wounded arrived. Who can estimate 
the good thus accomplished by those two earnest, 
Christian women? 

At ten o'clock the same morning, I started for 
Washington, accompanied by Mrs. Mayhew. When 
in the vicinity of Union Mills — some twenty -five 
miles from the city — a collision occurred a few miles 
ahead of us, in consequence of which we were delayed 
twelve hours. The day was gloomy, cold,, and rainy ; 
our car leaked badly. We were without food, nothing 
to read, and, in fact, nothing to do but to sit still and 
wait, and hope every moment that the train would 
start. We were wholly unprepared for such an emer- 
gency. Those twelve hours seemed lengthened into 
as many days, and not until two A. M. were we safely 
quartered in my own room, cold, hungry, and drench- 
ing wet. Next day we both began to experience the 
effects of a severe cold, which for some time seriously 
threatened us, but we managed to keep at work. 






THE BOYS IN WHITE. 157 



CHAPTEB XL 



ANOTHER VISIT TO THE AEMY — INCIDENTS — PONT MOTJNTAIN— 
PICKET LINE — THE MOVE — RETURN TO WASHINGTON — 
LONG BRIDGE — CAPTAIN MASON — ^REMARKS ABOUT HOSPITAL 
DUTIES— ARLINGTON — THE SOLDIERS' HOME. 

The 21st ult., through the kindness of Colonel 
Alger of the Fifth Cavalry, I obtained another pass 
to go to the army, and, on the morning of the 27th, 
again started with a fine lot of hospital stores. At 
the station I met Dr. Beach, who was returning to his 
regiment. The day was warm and pleasant, and in- 
stead of a long, lonely ride, the journey is too soon 
made. How desolate the country through which we 
pass I Marks of destruction, which ever follow the 
train of war, are everywhere visible. The earth is 
furrowed and ridged with long lines of rifle-pits, re- 
doubts and redans. Breastworks and formidable 
abattis are seen at various places along the line of the 
road Occasionally a tall chimney is seen standing 
like some lone sentinel, telling in language plainer 
than words of "glory departed." Every few miles 
we are reminded of the dans^ers to which we are ex- 



158 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

posed by broken cars, iron rails bent and twisted and 
strewn along the side of the track, causing us almost 
to expect to leave one or more of our cars, if not our 
bones, witb the wreck of others, before arriving at our 
place of destination. We pass some places of little 
note before the war, but by it rendered not only his- 
torical, but memorable. Such are Manassas, Catlett's, 
Bristow, and Eappahannock Stations and Warren ton 
Junction. At or near each of these, battles have been 
fought, and the earth drenched with human gore. ISTo 
waiting this time at the station ; Greneral Custar's car- 
riage — a confiscated barouche — is there before us. 
Kearly dark when we arrive at camp. Soldiers are 
never at a loss for expedients, and soon the dispensary 
is converted into a temporaryd welling-house, which, 
with a bright fire blazing on the hearth, made my 
little home look cozy and inviting. 

Again, as at my former visit, the work of unpack- 
ing, assorting, and distributing to different hospitals 
and those sick in their quarters had to be gone 
through with. Most of the sick who were in these 
hospitals upon my former visit had been sent away, 
but they were filled with others quite as needy. 

The afternoon of the 29th I rode out with Sergeant 
Summerville to the camp of the Twenty-fourth Mich- 
igan, to learn the condition of the sick and what 
they were most needing. The regiment was en- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 153 

camped in a beautiful place about a mile and a lialf 
from the once pleasant little village of Culpepper. 
The hospital I found entirely empty. A few had 
been sent to the division hospital at Culpepper, but 
none were dangerously ill. From both surgeon and 
chaplain I learned that the health of the regiment was 
never better, and that whatever stores I had designed 
for them had better be given to those more needy. 
Here for the first time I had the pleasure of meeting 
that excellent lady, Mrs. Chaplain Way. Who 
knows how far her kind care and advice and influ- 
ence went toward not only restoring the sick to 
health, but preventing sickness? As the day was 
far spent, and having about nine miles to ride, we 
made only a short stay, and then headed our horses 
for *'home." 

After passing through Culpepper, we struck across 
lots for Pony Mountain. We were not troubled with 
fences, but found plenty of mud and ditches to be 
gotten over and through as best we could. On our 
way to the Twenty -fourth, we rode over Pony Moun- 
tain, instead of taking a circuit around it. It was 
decidedly romantic climbing the steep ascent, clamb- 
ering over rocks and urging our way through the 
thick bushes, which at times almost impeded our 
progress. On the top of the mountain was a signal 
station. Here we dismounted to rest our horses, 



160 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

while we took a good view of the surrounding coun- 
try. The landscape before us was picturesque and 
grand. The vast Army of the Potomac was en- 
camped about us ; white tents clustered in every val- 
ley and covered every hill-side. At our left lay the 
village of Culpepper ; the Blue Eidge with its snowy 
peaks loomed up in the distance ; while a little to 
the southward, just across the Eapidan, was the ene- 
my's country, with its long lines of fortifications 
crowned with frowning, glistening guns. At the sta- 
tion, the signal officer was making various evolutions 
and movements with his little black and white flag, 
conveying, perhaps, important messages to the com- 
manding general. 

Eemounting our steeds, we slowly proceed down 
the steep declivity on the opposite side of the moun- 
tain, and hurry on. We had gone but a short dis- 
tance when we came to a large three- story brick 
house, where, Mr. S. told me, the rebel sharpshooters 
were once concealed to pick off our men as they pur- 
sued the flying foe from Culpepper. A battery was 
opened upon the building, and soon " Johnny reb " 
was glad to evacuate his stronghold and beat a hasty 
retreat. The family, in their frenzy, rushed into the 
cellar for safety ; but there is little safety in the face 
of an open battery. A large ball, striking the wall 
near the ground, knocked in the bricks, hurling them 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 161 

in confusion across the cellar, killing an old man and 
a little child. The whole building — roof, wall, and 
windows — showed the follj of hoping for safety 
within 

The next morning I was invited by Dr. Beach to 
take a ride along our picket-line. As my pass had 
not yet expired, and being naturally a little fond of 
adventure, the temptation was too great, and, in spite 
of the dark, lowering clouds, the slow, drizzling rain, 
and the prospect of a stormy day, we mounted our 
steeds and galloped away. Our infantry pickets are 
soon passed, and, as we approach the Eapidan, we 
descend the bank, and ride for some distance along 
the flat, only a few rods from the river. At our right, 
^cross the river, are the rebel pickets ; at our left, our 
own. These are the outposts of the two armies, each, 
mounted, and vigilantly watcbing the movements of 
the other. About noon we called at a small wood- 
colored house to rest. In this small building the 
women and children representing three different fami- 
lies were living. One of the ladies was a widow. 
The Husbands of the other two were in the rebel 
army. They received us cordially — -they dare not do 
otherwise even had they felt disposed to, being at 
the mercy of our army, and subsisting wholly upon 
it. Dinner being ready we gladly accepted an invi- 
tation to share their frugal meal, which consisted of 



162 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

pork and beans, corn-bread, and rice. After dinner 
we rode over to Germania Ford and called on anoth- 
er secession family. Here we found a woman and 
two or three little children living alone. The lady's 
hnsband had been in the rebel army, but was then 
a prisoner, confined in the old Capitol, at Washing- 
ton. - She claimed to be a relative of the rebel 
General Ashly. She was none of the ''poor white 
trash " of the South, and, though then ^»ery destitute, 
she had seen better days. The children, ashamed 
of their rags, ran and hid themselves behind the 
house, and could not be induced to come in, though 
the mother urged the little girl to come and play 
for us on the piano. The lady played and sang 
several beautiful songs. She was greatly pleased 
that we had called. She urged me to stay until the 
next day, and tried to exact a promise that I would 
be sure and come again. "Oh!" she said, "I am 
so lonely ! I have not seen a lady before in months." 
She was hemmed in between the two picket-lines, 
and could make her escape in neither direction. 
Though still a rebel, she deemed their cause hope- 
less, and earnestly wished for a speedy return of 
peace. 

The Twenty-Sixth was the last regiment visited 
this time. My stay there, though short, was rendered 
exceedingly pleasant, as Mrs. Dr. Kaymond and the 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 163 

wife of Commissary Patterson were spending a little 
time in camp with their hnsbands. About four 
o'clocV, the morning of the 3d (I believe) of March, 
an order for "three days' rations in haversacks " was 
issued, and at early dawn, each company, fully armed 
and equipped, with " drums beating and colors fly- 
ing," slowly filed out of camp, knowing not whither 
they went — expecting, however, to cro^s the Eapi- 
dan and engage the enemy. But fortune favored 
them; for, while others crossed, met the enemy, 
fought and fell, they were all permitted to return in 
safety. Many a sad "good-by" was spoken that 
morning, and many a " God bless you ! " went with 
those brave fellows, while, with a prayer in our 
hearts, we commended them to the keeping of Him 
who holds the destiny not only of nations but of 
individuals in his hands. At eight o'clock the same 
morning I left for Washington, in company with 
Lieutenant Grisson, who had obtained a fifteen-day 
leave of absence. On our way to Brandy Station 
we met the artillery-trains and long lines of in- 
fantry moving toward the scene of conflict. When 
within a mile of the station our ambulance broke 
down, which we left sunk in the mud nearly to 
the axles, and started on foot; but, while trying 
to pick our way so as to avoid the deepest mud and 
water, the shrill whistle of the locomotive is heard. 



16i THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

and the train comes rushing on from Culpepper. 
We are admonished that there is no time to lose, 
and, increasing our speed to a "double-quick," we 
stop for neither mud nor water until we are safely 
seated in the cars. Then the beautiful prospect of 
riding with wet feet a distance of seventy miles, in- 
cident to all the delays to be met with in travel- 
ling over a military road, presents itself — cheering, to 
say the least, and an excellent remedy for cold and 
cough (?) 

Upon our arrival in Alexandria, we learned that 
there had been an accident tliat morning on the Long 
Bridge, damaging it so much that the trains could not 
pass over. The particulars of the accident were as 
follows: — The draw had been opened for a boat to 
pass, and was not yet closed when the train approach- 
ed. The danger was discovered too late. With all 
possible speed the breaks were put on and the engine 
reversed ; but, being a down-hill grade, the train con- 
tinued to move from its own weight and the velocity 
which it had already acquired. On rushed the engine 
into the open space and plunged headlong into the 
river, dragging with it two or three cars freighted with 
human beings, mostly soldiers returning from fur- 
loughs. Many a poor fellow found a watery grave, 
while others died soon after of the injuries received. 

No doubt the prayer was continually being offered 



%ii 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 165 

by friends they had left at "home, that God would 
shield them and cover their heads in the day of battle, 
little dreaming that the grim monster, Death, lurked 
by the wayside. 

Leaving the cars, we hurry to the landing and take 
boat to Washington. Sad, pale faces and stricken 
hearts meet us at every turn. Captain Mason, of 
the Eighty-first Pennsylvania, is among the passen- 
gers. He is on his way to his home in Philadelphia, to 
attend the funeral of his wife, having received a tele- 
gram the day before announcing her death. 

•X- * -x- * -je * 

I had scarcely reached home when I received a call 
from Hon. Mr. Upton and wife, of Michigan, Dr. 
Alvord (our Secretary) and wife, and Mrs. Baldwin of 
Pontiac — all anxious to hear from the front. Five 
large boxes and two barrels of goods, which arrived dur- 
ing my absence, must be unpacked and receipted for, 
and a mail of thirteen letters promptly answered. 
Hammer, chisel and pen are called in requisition, and 
keep me company until a late hour. Dr. Alvord had 
succeeded, after repeated and most persistent efforts, 
in getting an ambulance detailed for me, which greatly 
facilitated my work. I could accomplish much more, 
with far greater ease, than when I had to trudge on 
foot, " toting " a loaded basket. To one unacquaint- 
ed with hospital work and experience, it might seem 



166 THE BOYS IN WniTE. 

an easy task to ride to a hospital some fine morning 
with a well -filled ambulance, distribute its contents, 
and return, load up and repeat the same again, and 
even again. Were this all, it would have been com- 
paratively easy and pleasant ; but it was this carried 
out into detail, the minutiae, that made the work 
laborious. In a former chapter I referred to the many 
errands there were to be done, not only for those 
among whom I was expected more especially to labor, 
but for others, for any and all, who appealed for aid. 
I could not turn a deaf ear to a soldier's wants. 

The winter of 1864, during Mrs. Brainard's absence, 
and while boarding myself, was a season of fatiguing 
labor, from early dawn until late at night. Eeturning 
to my room after a busy day's work, I had the privi- 
lege of getting my supper or going without it — and 
the going without was often preferable. Supper dis- 
posed of, the next thing in order was to transfer my 
new list of names to the register, and note down any 
removals from the hospitals, by death or otherwise 
(I here refer particularly to Michigan men). Then 
the long list of "wants," noted down during the day 
for individual cases in the different hospitals visited, 
must be exajnined, and the article prepared for distri- 
bution. Then the mail, which night was sure to 
bring, must be examined — and many of those letters 
demanded not only a prompt reply, bat often broaglit 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 167 

additional work. Here is one from a father, contain- 
ing inquiries concerning his son, who, the last time he 
heard from him, was stationed in one of the forts on 
the south side of the Potomac ; but for several weeks 
he has lost all trace of him, and requests me to try 
and find him and deliver the enclosed letter. Mj 
visit to the fort, a few days after, was unsuccessful ; 
the boy had been sent to the army. The letter is 
returned to the father, with what information could 
be gathered. The next is from an anxious wife, ear- 
nestly requesting me to see her husband, who is sick 
in Washington ; but she forgets to mention his regi- 
ment, or the hospital he is in. Another is from a 
young lady wishing to obtain a situation as nurse, 
and asks my advice and influence. Here is one from 
a soldier at the front who wishes me to store a box 
and valise for him until he shall call for them, desig- 
nating the place where they may be found. In my 
search for these I was successful, as may be seen from 
an extract from my journal of February 23d, 1864, 
which I will quote : 

" This afternoon I have been in search of a box 
and valise belonging to a soldier of the Seventh Michi- 
gan Cavalry, which he left at a private house when he 
was sent from dismounted camp to his regiment sev- 
eral months ago. I succeeded at length in finding 
them, about four miles from here, on the Alexandria 



168 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

road, at a small wood-colored house, with high rickety 
steps, whose occupants evidently belonged to that 
class known as ' poor white trash ; ' but they were 
very kind and obliging. The articles had been care- 
fully stored, and were readily delivered up as soon as 
they found I was authorized to get them." 

On my return I improved the opportunity of pay- 
ing a short visit to the Arlington House, the late resi- 
dence of the rebel general, Kobert E. Lee, as I had a 
desire to see where dwelt this rebel chieftain in the 
days of his prosperity and loyalty. But, alas! its 
glory has departed ; it is now occupied, as head-quar- 
ters, by ofl&cers who have command of the forts on the 
south side of the Potomac. As the building stands 
on an eminence, the northern verandah commands a 
fine view of the Potomac and the city beyond. The 
Capitol, in all its beauty and grandeur, looms up 
before the beholder. There are but few articles of 
furniture left. A few ancient paintings, said to have 
been executed by some member of the Curtis family, 
adorn the walls. The flower-garden, the large grove 
of stately forest trees — including many acres — with its 
broad carriage-ways and winding paths, remind one 
of Pilgrim's enchanted ground, and a sweet desire to 
linger among so many natural beauties takes posses- 
sion of the mind ; but, as it was getting late, I had 
only time to make a flying visit to the place, then 



TPIE BOYS IN WHITE. 169 

jump into my ambulance and be off for home. We 
are soon at the Long Bridge. The draw is open. A 
large number of army wagons have collected on either 
side of the draw, and, while waiting for it to be closed, 
a train of cars approaches, the horses become fright- 
ened, when suddenly a four-horse team leaps over the 
railing and plunges into the river beneath, dragging 
wagon and all after them. In a moment the waters 
close over them, and no trace of horses or wagon was 
afterward seen. Fortunately the driver saved himself 
by jumping from the wagon, when all hope of saving 
his team had fled. 



February Ibth. 

I have been to Douglas and Harewood hospitals, 
accompanied with Mrs. Tunnecliffe, with flannel shirts, 
blackberry sauce, and other delicacies for the sick. 
Nearly all the Michigan soldiers at Harewood are 
convalescing. Poor Sergeant Eooks seems to be the 
only one who is gradually failing. I fear his stay on 
earth is short. 

Before returning to the city, I drove out to the 
" Soldiers' Home," near which thousands of the " boys 
in white" lie buried, and their number is daily 
increasing. The representatives of many a broken 
home circle slumbers there. 



170 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Sigli not, ye winds, as passing o'er 

The cliambers of tlie dead ye fly ; 

Weep not, ye dews, 

For these no more shall ever weep, shall ever sigh. 

The "Home" was not, as many supposed, purchased 
by Government, but by soldiers of the regular army. 
The first sum appropriated for this object, $40,000, 
was levied on the city of Mexico by General Scott.. 
Here the aged and disabled soldiers of the regular 
army find a home. The building is large, beautiful, 
and commodious. We were conducted through it by 
Sergeant Charles Bussel, Company F, Fourth U. S. 
Artillery, who is now sixty-three years old. He was 
in active service thirty-one years — has been at the 
" Home " seven years. At present it contains ninety- 
six inmates. Everything is kept in the most perfect 
order, and moves on like clock-work. From the 
tower we had a fine view of the country for miles 
around. Spread out before us was the city of 
Washington, with its teeming multitudes and busy 
thoroughfares ; its numerous spires pointing upward, 
whither our thoughts should oftener turn ; its long 
rows of low white -washed buildings, whose mute 
walls, could they speak, would tell sad tales of human 
woe. Thither have bec«i brought thousands of the 
suffering "boys in blue," and from them have been 
removed multitudes of lifeless " boys in white." 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 171 

A little to the westward lay Georgetown, with its 
narrow streets and ivy-grown walls. A few miles 
down the river Alexandria could be seen. In the 
distance was Fairfax Seminary, and across the river 
the Arlington House, and the numerous forts which 
skirt its banks. The estate contains three hundred 
and fifty acres, a portion of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Evergreens, shrubbery, aud flowers surround 
the *' Home ; " gravel walks and carriage-ways lead to 
and from it in different directions. But amid all this 
beauty a solemn stillness reigns ; here the voice of 
childhood is never heard, or woman's face ever seen, 
except as an occasional visitor. These, it would seem, 
are all that it needs to make it an earthly paradise.* 

* I am here speaking exclusively of tlie " Home," without 
reference to the other buildings near, viz. : the summer residence 
of the president, and the residence of the governor of the estate. 



172 THE EOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER XIL 



FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE — SEARCH FOR A SOLDIER'S GRAVE — ^RE- 
TURN OF THE RICHMOND RAIDERS — THIRD VISIT TO THE 
ARMY — ACCIDENT — FIELD HOSPITALS — DEATH OP SOLDIERS 
— GRACE GREENWOOD — ^LITTLE ANNA — ^BATTLE EXPECTED 
— CAMP RUMORS — A SEVERE STORM — THE ONE HUNDRED 
AND EIGHTY-THIRD PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS — ARMY 
RE- ORGANIZED — GRANT TAKES COMMAND — REVIEW OP THE 
SECOND CORPS — SOBER REFLECTIONS. 

Saturday, the 12tli of March, I went to Fairfax 
Court-Honse with supplies for the sick at that place, 
having heard that they were in a very destitute con- 
dition. There were there no Michigan soldiers at 
Fairfax at this time, but as our motto was to do for 
all as we had opportunity, it was thought best to 
ascertain whether these reports were true, and if so, do 
what we could to better their condition. At Fairfax 
station, I visited the hospital of the One Hundred and 
Fifty-fifth New York volunteers. It contained but 
few sick, and none dangerously ill. At the Court- 
Ilouse, there were two hospitals, viz. : the Seventeenth 
New York Battery, and the Fourth Delaware volun- 
teers. But finding these, contrary to expectation, 
very comfortably supplied, I left only part of my 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 173 

goods and returned to Washington with the remain- 
der. While at Fairfax I shared the hospitahty of 
Mrs. Anthony, whose husband was .in command of 
the battery on duty at that place. Sunday morning 
I visited the place where were resting many of the 
"Boys in White." As I stood and looked upon 
those lonely graves, memory recalled many sad expe- 
riences ; for the very spot once occupied by our hos- 
pitals, in which I had watched by the dying couch 
of many a soldier who was now sleeping in his " turf- 
bed" at my feet, was only a short distance away. 
The grave of Peter Young, who died the morning we 
evacuated the place the previous June, I was par- 
ticularly desirous of finding, as his sister was extreme- 
ly anxious to come on for his body; but for some 
time after our troops left there was no communication 
tion with the place, and the country was soon infested 
with roving bands of guerrillas, rendering a visit to 
that place hazardous, if not impossible. Not finding 
his grave here, I started for another burying-ground 
nearly half a mile from this ; but I had proceeded 
only a short distance when I came upon a sentinel, 
who refused to let me cross his beat, as I was with- 
out a pass. I told him the mission upon which I 
was going, but, like a good soldier, he still refused. 
It being too late to return to head-quarters for a pass 
— as the ambulance was already waiting which was to 



174 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

take me to the depot — I was compelled to abandon 
the idea of further search, and retraced my steps with 
many regrets that I could not even convey to the sor- 
rowing friends the poor consolation, that the silent 
resting-place of their dear one was known and had 
been visited. While at Fairfax there was considera- 
ble excitement in regard to Mosby's guerrillas, who 
were reported to be in the vicinity of Vienna. The 
cavalry were sent in pursuit of them ; but every at- 
tempt to capture them was eluded. Before I left for 
"Washington one division of Kilpatrick's Cavalry pas- 
sed through the place, having just returned from their 
Eichmond raid, and were on their way to their old 
quarters near Stevensburg. Both horse and rider 
looked worn and weary. The real object of the raid 
had not been accomplished. Eichmond had not been 
taken, and our starving soldiers were not released 
from those vile prison-pens. 

Monday, the 14th, I again went to the army with 
supplies, and was instructed to remain until further 
orders. The day was delightful, the air cool and 
balmy. At the depot I fell in company with Mr. Gr. 
A. Willett of Ionia, who was on his way to his post of 
duty in the Second Corps. My trips to the army never 
lost their novelty, for the country passed through con- ■ 
tained so much of deep and thrilling interest, 
almost every station on the route having been the 



THE BOYS m WHITE. 175 

scene of bloody conflicts, and nearly every object that 
met the eye was associated with some sad tale. When 
within three miles of Brandy Station, the train was 
thrown from the track, and four cars were completely 
demolished. One man was killed, and many others 
seriously injured. Fortunately the car we occupied, 
though thrown from the track, was not overturned, 
so we escaped unhurt. While waiting and deliber- 
ating whether to start on foot, we were surprised by 
the arrival of Lieutenant Chase, who was waiting for 
me at the station ; but, hearing of the accident, he at 
once hastened to the scene of the disaster, and, in a 
few moments, we were on our way to the camp of the 
Michigan Twenty-sixth, where we arrived a little be- 
fore dark. 

I took possession of Dr. Eaymond's cabin — who was 
absent on leave, and, upoii his return, took quarters 
with the Adjutant — which Willie, our cook, had put 
in the best house-keeping order, and who, during my 
stay of six weeks, ever seemed to consider it a pleas- 
ure to do all he could to make my home pleasant; 
always taking the opportunity when I was absent at 
other hospitals to wash my cabin floor, and to be sure 
and have a bright fire blazing on the hearth upon my 
return. Dear Willie! long ere the dawn of peace, he 
went to join the army on the other side of the river. 
Among the thousands buried at Arlington may be 



176 TPIE BOYS IN WHITE. 

seen upon one of the little head boards the name of 
"William Brokaw, Company I, Twenty -sixth Mich- 
igan Volunteers." 

" Sweet be the death of those 
Who for their country die ; 
Sleep on her bosom for repose, 
And triumph where they lie." 

My home being with the Twenty-sixth, of course a 
larger share of my time was spent with this hospital 
than any other; yet I made occasional visits to the 
Third, Fifth, and Seventh cavalry regiments. The 
First, Fourth, and Sixteenth infantry regiments I was 
not able to visit at all. The general health of the 
army at this time was considered good, though in the 
aggregate there were many sick. It was impossible 
to keep a correct record of the sick in all the hospitals, 
on account of the changes which were constantly 
being made. 

One class of patients would be brought in, remain 
a few days, and then sent off to division or some gen- 
eral hospital, and their places filled by others. 

I seldom visited a hospital without missing some 
familiar face and greeting strange ones. The long 
distance from one regiment to another — being from 
one to eight miles — with roads much of the time 
almost impassable, made it extremely difficult to visit 



THE BOYS TIT WHITE. 177 

the same hospital very often. Eain, and consequently 
mud, we had in no stinted measure. Sometimes the 
rain would continue to fall for three or four days in 
succession, and was usually accompanied with a cold 
high wind, and not unfrequently with snow. 

The 29th of March, during one of the severest 
storms of the season, the One Hundred Eighty- 
third Pa. volunteers went into camp a short distance 
from us. This was a new regiment, wholly unaccus- 
tomed to the hardships of camp life. All day long 
they were exposed to a cold, drenching rain, with 
nothing to protect them but their little shelter 
tents. 

Night came on; the storm continued; the wind, 
which had blown a perfect gale all day, still whis- 
tled through their open tents ; and thus, without fire, 
and with saturated clothing, they spent the night in 
the pitiless storm. As many as could be accommo- 
dated came into our hospital and cook-room, grateful 
for the privilege of sleeping upon the floor before the 
fire. For twenty -four hours they were scarcely able 
to make fire sufficient to boil their coffee. Many a 
poor fellow lost his life in consequence of exposure 
to this merciless storm. 

It was no uncommon thing for soldiers to be 
brought in from the picket line, sick even unto death ; 
but this was a duty that could not be neglected, no 



178 THE BOYS IN WniTE. 

matter what the weather, for ofttimes the safety of the 
whole army depended upon its faithful discharge. 

My stay with the army, notwithstanding the many 
sad scenes so often witnessed and the lonely hours 
sometimes experienced, was rather pleasant than 
otherwise. Aside from the satisfaction there is in try- 
ing to do good, there is a novelty connected with such 
a life which gives to it many attractions. Soldiers 
are always full of fun and good-natured jokes. Ex- 
citing rumors, sometimes with, but oftener without 
foundation, are constantly afloat, furnishing subjects 
for conversation. Besides, there are occasional oppor- 
tunities, even in the army, for intellectual entertain- 
ments. One such was enjoyed by the Second Corps 
soon after my arrival. We were favored with a visit 
from the gifted authoress and lecturer, *' Grace Green- 
wood." It was my privilege to listen to two of the 
three lectures she delivered while there. These lec- 
tures were rare treats; they were like oases in the 
desert. During her stay, she favored us with a call, 
visited our hospital, spoke cheeringly to the sick, with 
whom her heart was in full sympathy. She also ac- 
cepted an invitation to dine with us. She was ac- 
companied by her little daughter Anna — a sweet 
child of eight years. Ah ! methinks many a father's 
heart grew sad as he saw this little girl tripping gaily 
through camp, or as lie listened to her sweet singing. 



THE E0Y3 TN" WHITE. 179 

She must have reminded him of the dear little "An- 
nie," or "Hattie," or "Nellie," he left at home, and 
whom he might never again see. Perchance some sen- 
tinel on his beat paused to wipe the imbidden tear 
from his weather-beaten cheek as she crossed his path, 
being reminded of his own precious daughter, the pat- 
ter of whose feet he might hear no more forever I 

Quite an exciting scene occurred one afternoon, oc- 
casioned bj one of the many rumors constantly afloat 
in the army. All was usually quiet, no apprehension 
of immediate danger or sign of "a move," when sud- 
denly we were startled by an order for the regiment 
to be ready to move at a moment's notice, as it was 
reported that the rebels had crossed the Eapidan, 
driven in our pickets, and were already engaged with 
the cavalry. Presently the order to "advance" is 
received Then comes the hasty preparations ; well- 
filled cartridge-boxes are buckled on, muskets shoul- 
dered, and the order, " fall in," quietly obeyed. Yery 
soon they are all drawn up in line of battle on the 
ridge of a high hill in front of our camp ; batteries 
are placed in position, and everything in readiness to 
give the " chivalry " a cordial greeting. Things really 
looked like a fight; but before sundown all were 
quietly withdrawn and returned to their old quarters 
without even getting a sight of a rebel. As they 
came piling into camp, some felt provoked, and all 



180 THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 

disappointed, for they had hoped to have a "brush" 
— as they called it — with the enemy. To use their 
own words, they were " spoiling for a fight." The in- 
activity of camp life while in winter quarters was one 
prolific source of demoralization in the army. The 
true cause of the alarm was soon ascertained. A few 
rebels did cross the river and drive in some of our 
pickets, but they were soon driven back and compel- 
led to re-cross. For a few days this furnished the 
topic of conversation, and then something new came 
up; and when nothing new happened, the "boys" 
would improvise something. 

Toward the last of March I expected Mrs. Thomp- 
son, formerly of Ionia, Michigan, to make me a visit 
and bring a new supply of hospital stores. But I 
looked in vain. The goods at length came, but she 
was not with them, as she could not obtain a pass. I 
was so greatly disappointed that for a while time 
seemed to pas's more slowly ; my evenings were un- 
usually lonely. The evening tattoo and morning re- 
veille, and the warriors' calls of the drum, to which I 
had ever listened with pleasure, now seemed only to 
mock my loneliness. I tried to be reconciled, but 
never could fully. I was obliged to adopt the lan- 
guage of the old adage, "What can't be cured must be 
endured." Toward the middle of April 1 began tc 
feel somewhat anxious to return to Washington, as all 



TIIK BOYS IN WHITE. 181 

non-combatants were ordered to leave the army. 
Greneral Grant had arrived and taken command in 
person, and the work of re-organizing commenced. 
The sick were being sent away as fast as possible, and 
everything indicated a speedy move. However, I re- 
mained until I had disposed of the new supply of 
goods. 

The review of the Second Corps on the 22d of 
April, by General Grant, was -a grand sight. It was 
estimated that there were fifty thousand troops on re- 
view that day. Then, in addition to these, were the 
almost endless lines of ambulances and army wagons, 
all having been repaired and newly painted; every- 
thing was in readiness for the opening campaign. To 
one unaccustomed to seeing large armies, it would 
seem that this corps alone was sufficient to meet and 
successfully resist whatever force could be brought to 
oppose it ; and yet what a small part of the vast army 
of the Union, and only about one-third of the Grand 
Army of the Potomac ! 

Many of our sick I afterward found scattered 
through various hospitals in different cities. Among 
these, there were three of the Twenty -sixth, for whom 
I had felt the deepest interest and solicitude, who died 
after arriving in Washington, viz., Sergeant Eooks, 
privates Yan Decar and Miller. Each left a family to 
mourn departed hopes. 



182 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

The morning of the 23d, I bade " good-bj " to the 
few sick left in the hospital and returned to Washing- 
ton. The day was warm and pleasant ; yet my heart 
was sad, for it took no great stretch of the imagination 
to look forward into the midst of the terrible conflict 
about to begin, and to see many of the brave and the 
noble fall ; to see the wounded and slain by thous- 
ands, scattered far and near, with the advancing and 
retreating armies marching and counter-marching over 
their mangled bodies, the bones of multitudes being 
left to bleach upon the plain and the earth made red 
with human gore. Then the thought of the bitter 
grief and unavailing tear which would so soon succeed 
the long suspense and anxious fears which filled every 
home, if not every heart, in our land, left little room 
for other than sad reflections. But every picture, 
however dark, has its bright side, and so had this 
fearful one. The hope of victory illumined its dark 
background. It was this that buckled on the armor 
and nerved every heart for the contest. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 183 



CHAPTER XIIL 



HOSPITAL WORK IN -WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA— NEW ARRI- 
VALS OF THE SICK — NINTH CORPS — BATTLES OF THE WIL- 
DERNESS — THE WOUNDED ARRIVE — EN ROUTE FOR FRED- 
ERICKSBURG FflRST NIGHT IN THE "BLOODY CITY" — OUR 

QUARTERS — HOSPITAL VISITS AND HOSPITAL WORK — DIS- 
TRIBUTING SUPPLIES— DISTRESSING SIGHTS— SAD INCIDENTS. 

I AREIYED in Wasliington witliout accident this 
time, though, the rebels had become very bold, mak- 
ing frequent raids upon the road, tearing up the track, 
capturing the guard, and doing all sorts of mischief. 
Immediately upon arriving- in Washington, I expected 
to start for Michigan on a short visit; but, as the 
army was on the eve of a move, I pelded to the 
urgent request of the officers of our Association, to 
remain until the close of the opening campaign, and 
resumed my work of visiting hospitals, in connection 
with Mrs. Brainard, who had returned from her visit 
home three months before. We found plenty to do, 
as our hospitals were being filled with the sick daily 
aniving from the army. Many were left from the 
Ninth Corps, which passed through the city on the 
25th instant, on their way to rejoin the Army of the 



184 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Potomac, having been recalled from tlie "Western de- 
partment, where they were sent one year before. Tho 
corps, at this time, numbered about thirty thousand. 
They were over three hours in passing a given point. 
Poor fellows, how worn and weary they looked ! 
There was the Eighth Michigan, to which a dear 
brother once belonged. How eagerly I watched for 
Company K I But, oh ! a tall, manly form was miss- 
ing. No familiar face met my eye, no well-known 
voice greeted me ; but while his comrades were march- 
ing on to victory and to death, he lay calmly sleeping 
a few miles distant. No more fatiguing marches, no 
more sleepless nights, no more suffering, no more 
hunger or thirst or weariness for thee, brother; thy 
last march is ended, the last battle fought, and the 
victory won. Sleep peacefully, brother, until the 
archangel's trumpet shall bid thee arise. 

The 26th of the month I went to Alexandria, and 
remained three days, visiting and distributing to the 
sick and wounded in those hospitals. While there. I 
had the pleasure of seeing, for the first time, General 
Burnside — that noble, generous of&cer, who always 
did the best he could, if not always the most success- 
ful He was then, and still is, loved for his honesty 
of heart and integrity of purpose. 

Two days more, which were spent in "Washington — 
one in visiting hospitals, the other in packing goods 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 185 

to take to tlie front and attending to home duties — 
brings, me down to the first of May. 

It will be remembered that, early in this month, 
the Army of the Potomac struck tents, buckled on 
their armor, and, at the command of their gallant 
leader, " whose name was a tower of strength," moved 
on with their faces "wilderness-ward," to scenes of 
fierce strife, carnage, and death. Soon a series of 
battles commenced, which scarcely ended until the 
fall of Eichmond. It was a truthful saying, that the 
battle of the Wilderness was the bloody initiation of 
of the great campaign which was to terminate the 
war. The 8th of the month several hundred of the 
more shghtly wounded arrived. They had a serious 
time in making their way from the battlefield to the 
Eappahannock — a distance of nearly thirty miles — 
no transportation being furnished them, as all the 
ambulances were employed in removing the more 
severely wounded. On their way they were attacked 
by guerrillas, but finally succeeded in making their 
escape, after killing several, without losing any of 
their own number. Those who were unarmed fought 
with broken muskets, clubs, and whatever else they 
could lay hands on. 

As reports of the fighting continued to reach us, 
and none of the more serious cases arrived, we ap- 
plied for passes to go to Fredericksburg — that being 



186 THE BOYS IN- WHITE. 

the new base of supplies for tlie army, and wliitlier 
thousands of the wounded were removed from the 
battlefield — ^which we finally obtained through our 
State Agent, Dr. Tunnecliffe, late in the afternoon of 
the 10th. Early next morning, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. 
Brainard, and myself, in company with other volun- 
teer laborers, went to the wharf with our goods, that 
we might be in readiness to take the first boat that 
should leave for Belle Plain. 

While waiting, three boats filled with the wounded 
arrived. They were crowded, from the upper-deck 
to the hold, with scarcely room to pass between those 
mangled forms, who were suffering not only from 
wounds, but famishing with hunger. Their hunger, 
however, was soon relieved, for a large number of 
delegates of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions 
were present, with plenty of hot coffee, milk-punch, 
lemonade, crackers, and the like, which were dis- 
tributed with a liberal hand to all. As fast as pos- 
sible they were removed to hospitals, where they 
could be better cared for. About four o'clock P. M., 
we went on board the steamer "Wenonah. Before 
leaving the wharf a letter was handed me, dated, 
*' Chancellorsville, May 7th, 1864.-' I will quote a 
single paragraph: "The Twenty-Sixth are all right, 
but the Fifth are badly cut up ; Major Mathews re- 
ported mortally wounded." Oh! how such reports 



THE BOYS m WHITE. 187 

increased our impatience, and lengthened tlie wait- 
ing moments into hours, and the hours into days, 
But at length we leave the shores of Washington. 
Every heart beats high with the hope that the morn- 
ing will find us among the wounded at Belle Plain. 
But we had proceeded only a few miles when a col- 
lision occurred, injuring our boat slightly, yet suffi- 
cient to cause her to anchor off Alexandria for the 
night 

May 12t7i, 1864. 

At six o'clock this morning, the Wenonah, richly 
laden with hospital-stores and volunteer laborers, left 
Alexandria and steamed down the Potomac. Fort 
Washington is soon passed. Mount Yemon left in 
the distance, and other places of less importance ap- 
pear and recede from view. 

As we near our place of destination, cannonading 
is heard, rapid and heavy. A terrible battle is 
raging. Oh ! how we long for " the wings of the 
morning," that we may fly to the relief of the wound- 
ed; but our anxiety does not accelerate our speed. 
About one o'clock we anchor a short distance from 
Belle Plain, where we remain until nearly dark, when 
we are all taken on board the Young America? 
and carried over to the landing ; but we cannot go 
ashore, as we would be entirely without shelter for 



188 THE BOYS IN- WHITS. 



the niglit, and tlie rain, wliicli has been falling all 
the afternoon, still continues. 



Before leaving the Wenonah, it was suggested by 
some one that we have a prayer-meeting, and that those 
wishing to attend would assemble in the cabin, which 
in a few moments was filled to its utmost capacity 
with, delegates from both the Sanitary and Christian 
Commissions, the ladies on board, and officers and sol- 
diers. Among the number present were many emi- 
nent Christian men and ministers of the gospel, the 
names of a few of whom I obtained, viz. : Drs. Smith, 
Castle, Porter, McLaughlin, of Philadelphia, Dr. How- 
lett, of Washington, and Dr. Dobbins, of Trenton, 
New Jersey. Among the ladies present was one 
whose name has become a household word in thou- 
sands of homes throughout our land, because of her 
untiring efforts in behalf of the sick and wounded. 

I refer to Miss Clara Barton, of , Massachusetts. 

The meeting was a most solemn and impressive one. 
The afternoon was dark and gloomy, the sky overcast 
with clouds, and the rain falling ; while ever and anon 
our ears were saluted with the boom of the cannon, 
which, plainly indicated that the conflict was still rag- 
ing, and every moment new names were added to the 
long list of sufferers. The solemnity of the occasion. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 189 

and the deep impressions then made, must — it seems 
to me — follow each of ns through life. 

Nine o'clock next morning we were taken into a 
barge and carried ashore. The wounded were arriv- 
ing by hundreds, and I may say thousands, to await 
transportation to Washington. The two great Com- 
missions and a few State Reliefs were there with 
abundant supplies of food ; so all hands went to work 
feeding those poor, suffering, half-starved soldiers with 
crackers, hot coffee, and light bread — which we cut 
into slices and spread with apple-butter. Thus we 
worked on, wading through mud to the top of our 
boots until noon, when, in company with Mrs. John- 
son, I started with part of our goods for Fredericks- 
burg — transportation being furnished us through the 
kindness of Lieutenant Chase, of the Ambulance 
Corps. The mud was deep and the roads badly cut 
up ; but fortunately we did not share the fate of some 
of the wounded, whose ambulances were overturned 
on their way to Belle Plain. It was after dark when 
we reached the Rappahannock, which we crossed on 
pontoons, and nearly eight o'clock when we arrived at 
the head-quarters of the Christian Commission in the 
"bloody city" of Fredericksburg. On our way we 
met several thousand prisoners captured by the Sec- 
ond Corps the day previous. Among these were 
Generals Edward Johnson and George H. Stewart. 



190 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

It was said that General Johnson was so affected as to 
shed tears when General Hancock extended to him 
his hand after he was taken, declaring that he pre- 
ferred death to captivity. But the other^ with an air 
of haughtiness, replied: "I am General Stewart, of the 
Confederate army, and under present circumstances I 
decline to take your hand." General Hancock's dig- 
nified reply was : " And under any other circum- 
stances, General, I should not have offered it." 

We, with three other ladies who were on a similar 
mission, found quarters for the night in the parlor of 
the worthy (?) ex-Mayor Slaughter's fine residence, 
upon whose carpet we had the honor of sleeping ! ! 
Being very tired, we slept soundly, in spite of our hard 
bed. Part of the building was used for a hospital. 
Mrs. Slaughter was still there, but her husband, not 
caring to fall into the hands of the " hated Yankees," 
had left for parts unknown. 

I will again add a few extracts from my journal. 

May 10th. 
Early this morning the Provost Marshal obtained 
for us a house to which our goods were soon removed, 
after which we were ready for. duty. The building 
had once been a store ; the counter and shelves being 
left, we occupy them with goods. The flxmily in an 
adjoining room consists of an old lady and one daiigh- 



• '.'> ii 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 191 

ter, who, of course, claim to be loyal. However, 
they are very kind, and gave us a large upper room 
with good beds, and otherwise comfortably famished 
for a sleeping apartment. No one could listen to 
their story without feelings of pity. They have suf- 
fered much during the war, being obliged to share 
their hospitality with both friend and foe, exposed to 
dangers from the missiles of destruction and death 
which have made such wide-spread desolation, and left 
in ruins this once beautifal city. Their own building, 
and even the room in which I write, bears testimony 
to the terrible effects of shell and ball. 

A stove was furnished us in the morning, the 
" boys " supplied us with wood, and we went to work 
with a right good will, Mrs. Johnson to cooking, and 
I to visiting hospitals and distributing as fast as she 
could cook. 

Such scenes of wretchedness and of terrible suf- 
fering I have never before witnessed. I found the 
wounded lying upon the hard floor without pil- 
lows, and many without a blanket, so closely crowded 
together that there was scarcely room to pass between 
them. OjQ&cers and soldiers are lying side by side. 
There, if never before, they are all on a common 
level. To the untold suffering experienced from 
broken bones and shattered limbs, is added that of 
hunger, many having eaten nothing for three and four 



192 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

days previous to their arrival liere ; and thus they are 
dying not only of wounds, but of starvation. 

In the six hospitals to-day visited, I found many 
Michigan soldiers, and among these are several of the 
Twenty-Sixth volunteers, from whom, only a few 
weeks since, I parted at Stevensburg, when imagina- 
tion was so busy picturing these horrid scenes. 
Among this number is Colonel Saviers, wounded in 
the lungs ; Captain Johnson with a foot amputated ; 
Lieutenants Grisson and Dopson severely, though less 
seriously wounded ; Mr. Waters with amputated thigh, 
and many others whose names I do not recall. The 
food which I have to-day distributed consisted almost 
entirely of chicken-soup and crackers, in dealing out 
which I made no distinction, but gave to all as far as 
my supplies would go. 

Early this evening I went out again in company 
with Mrs. Johnson, and remained until twelve o'clock, 
dressing wounds and doing what I could to relieve 
the suffering of our poor boys. Among the many 
incidents to-day observed worthy of note, I will men- 
tion but two. While distributing my crackers and 
soup to the inmates of a large church, where there are 
perhaps a hundred and fifty or two hundred poor suf- 
ferers lying side by side upon the floor, nearly all 
seriously and many mortally wounded, my ears were 
saluted with the voice of song, and, looking around to 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 193 

see from whom it came, I saw a poor fellow with a 
severe wound in both arms, whom some one had 
raised up from his hard bed. He was sitting on the 
floor and leaning against the wall, singing as cheer- 
fully, and apparently as joyously as if he were seated 
at the social hearth with his own dear family. It was 
a scene which brought tears to my eyes, for the voice 
of song strangely mingled with dying groans, and I 
thought that one who could shut his eyes to the scenes 
of distress around him, and so far forget his sufferings 
as to attune his heart and voice to singing, must in- 
deed have experienced the blessedness of the Chris- 
tian's hope. In this hospital is another with eight 
wounds. He lies on a stretcher entirely helpless. 
While feeding him I entered into conversation with 
him, when, to my surprise, I found that he entertained 
hopes of recovery — which seems to me would be al- 
most miraculous.'^ The rest of our pai'ty arrived this 
afternoon with the balance of our goods. 

Sunday^ the 15ih. 

Another busy day. It has seemed but little like 

the Sabbath. After taking supplies to four different 

hospitals, and distributing, and working among the 

wounded until late in the afternoon, I came home and 

* Some two years ago, to my great astonishment, I met this 
man, Avho, though having recovered, is badly crippled for life. 



191- THE EOYS IN WHITE. 

prepared chicken-soup, and carried to Planter's Hotel 
— assisted by Mr. Green — sufficient for nearly four 
hundred men. Michigan soldiers of the Ninth Corps 
are here largely represented. Among these are many 
seriously wounded. My attention was particularly 
called to two such by Chaplain May — viz., Captain 
Donohue of the Eighth volunteers, and Lieutenant 
Joss, of the Second, each with an amputated thigh. 
But little hope is entertained of their recovery. I 
tried to speak encouragingly to them, having been re- 
quested to do so by the surgeon, Dr. Fox; yet it 
seems almost wrong to endeavor to inspire with hope 
of recovery those for whom nearly all hope has fled. 
Promising to see them often and do all I could for 
them, I left, feeling that it would be only a short time 
that they would need anything, except the soldier's 
blanket and a few feet of earth. 

In this hospital I found several wounded in the face, 
among whom is Sergeant Clark, also of the Eighth. 
The ball lodged somewhere in the mouth, and has not 
yet been found. It is very distressing to see him ; his 
tongue is swollen to an immoderate size^ and protrudes 
from his mouth. He is unable to speak, or take nour- 
ishment, except liquids. There are hundreds of cases, 
each peculiarly sad, and each presenting itself as an 
object of sympathy. 

Among the hospitals I have visited to-day, ii3 the 



THE BOYS IN WniTE. 195 

Old Theatre, where I saw so many terribly mangled 
bodies last evening. I took a quantity of pillows, 
chicken-soup, and crackers. The moment I entered 
the hospital, oh, what begging for pillows came from 
all parts of the room ! " Please, give me a pillow, Vra 
wounded in the head, and my knapsack is so hard," 
said one. Another wants one for the stump of his 
arm or leg. " I don't think it would be so painful if 
I only had a pillow, or cushion, or something to keep 
it from the hard floor ; there, that small one will do 
for me; please lady, let me have that." "Oh," said 
another, " if I only could have one of those pillows for 
my back ; it is all raw from lying on the hard floor ; 
Oh ! can't you spare me one ? " For a few moments I 
stood with the pillows in my arms, unable to decide 
what to do. I could not supply all, and to whom 
should I give ? The calls did not cease until the last 
one was given out, and then the cry was, " Can't you 
bring more ? " Concluding they were as needy as any, 
I came home, got another armful, and returned, thus 
supplying the worst cases in that room. While there, 
an incident occurred, to which I can never refer with- 
out weeping. As I was busy dishing out my broth, 
a friend of mine. Lieutenant Grisson, who was himself 
wounded, said: "I wish you would see if you can't 
do something for that captain who lies the third from 
me; he is dreadfully wounded." On going to him, I 



196 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

inquired if there was anything I could do for him, and 
if he would like a little broth. *' Just a little, if you 
please," he said. After placing a pillow under his 
head, and another under his back, I fed him as much 
as he wished, then asked what more I could do for 
him? He looked up with tearful eyes, and said: 
*' Oh, you are so kind, I don't know what to call you, 
unless it be sister." "Yery well," I replied, "I'll be 
your sister; but tell me, Captain, is there nothing- 
more I can do for you before I go." "If you will 
please write a few lines to mother." Taking her ad- 
dress, I inquired whether there was anything in par- 
ticular he wished me to write. I shall never forget 
the expression of his countenance as he looked up and 
said: "Oh! give her some encouragement, but tell her 
I'm trusting in God." He hesitated a few moments, 
and then added : "It will be so hard for mother, for 
she is a widow, and I am her only son." I tried to 
speak a few words of comfort, telling him that if his 
trust was in God all would be well, for his hopes were 
ar.chored upon a sure foundation, and the one in 
whom he trusted would be the widow's God. In a 
moment the thought of the anguish that would soon 
pierce that lone widowed mother's heart, rushed upon 
ray mind, and poor, weak human nature was over- 
come, and I could only bow my head and weep. The 
poor fellow seemed fully conscious of the fact that he 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 197 

must die ; and while he would have his mother know 
the worst, he wished the sad intelligence to be gently 
broken. The language of his heart seemed to be, 
"Who will care for mother, now?" 

After giving out the rest of my supplies, I bade the 
"boys" good - evening, with a promise to see them 
again soon, and left this wretched hospital only to 
visit another nearly, if not quite, as bad. This was 
formerly a large grocery -store, only a short distance 
from our quarters. Mr. Green and Mrs. Johnson 
accompanied me to this abode of misery. As we 
entered the building, oh, what a sight met our eyes ! 
A small piece of candle was burning upon the counter 
— ^it being about nine in the evening — which but 
dimly lighted the large room, making the bloody 
scene before us all the more horrifying. There lay 
the wounded, stretched upon the floor side by side, in 
close proximity, weltering in blood and filth. 

They were faint and hungry, some having only a 
short time before arrived from the battle-field, with 
wounds still undressed, their blankets and clothing 
saturated with blood, and not unfrequently covered 
with vermin. It was a sight well-calculated to appal 
the stoutest heart ; but, nerving ourselves for the task, 
we went to work feeding those poor sufferers, bathing 
an 1 dress'ng their wounds. While busy, a call from 



198 THE BOYS IN ^yIIITE. 

behind the counter attracted my attention, and on 
going to ascertain who was there I found two soldiers, 
who said they were nearly starved, and wished to 
know if we hadn't something for them too. " Cer- 
tainly," I replied, and, taking a large cup, I filled it 
with hot broth, and crept along on my hands and 
knees to where they were lying, for I did not dare 
trust myself to walk, fearing I should stumble over 
them, as it was so dark, the candle having been re- 
moved to another part of the room, and the space 
between them and the counter so narrow. 

I learned that one of them belonged to the Eighth 
Michigan. When I told him that I too was from 
Michigan, the poor boy burst into tears and wept 
aloud. " Oh," said he, " can't you get me out of this 
filthy place? for it seems as though I shall be eaten up 
alive." But, as every spare foot of space was occu- 
pied, we were obliged to leave them there for the 
night, but requested the nurse to remove them in 
the morning, even if they had to be taken out of 
doors. I came home late in the evening, weary and 
foot-sore. Since then, have written several letters for 
soldiers, and the midnight hour finds me still with 
pen in hand. 

The wounded have been arriving since early this 
morning ; new scenes of distress await us on the mor- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 199 

row. " As we look around, we see the work of deatli 
on every side. Rank after rank is falling on the 
battlefield of life, and the cold earth on which we 
tread is arched with graves." 



200 THE BOrS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



WBETCHED CONDITION OF OUR HOSPITAL — A REBEL FAMILY — 
HOME DUTIES— ARRIVAL OF THE WOUNDED— SAD SCENES 
AND INCIDENTS— BATTLEFIELD OF DEC. IStH, 1862— 
TENT HOSPITALS — MR. WATERS — PAPER MILL HOSPITAL — 
THE CITY EVACUATED — THE SLAUGHTER ESTATE — MRS. 
WASHINGTON'S MONUMENT — NINTH CORPS BURYING-GROUND 
— FAREWELL TO THE BLOODY CITY. 

Monday^ IQth, 
Eaely this morning I started out, accompanied by 
one of the " boys " detailed to assist ns, for an old 
four-story factory, situated in the outskirts of the city, 
with beef-soup, crackers, and pillows. Another re- 
volting scene, one from which the mind instinctively 
turns, was there witnessed. I found the wounded, as 
in other hospitals, lying upon the hard floor, some 
with but many without even a blanket. Everything 
in the shape of knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, and 
even boots, are used for pillows. For one to stand 
and look in upon them in all their destitution and suf- 
fering, and to hear the begging for pillows upon which 
to rest aching heads, wounded limbs, and broken 
bones, and to see the empty cups held up for a little 



TITS BOYS IN WniTE. 201 

soup — "just a little, please," — would be a soul-sicken- 
ing sight 1 A mere spectator could not live here ; not 
if lie had a heart to feel for others' woes. There must 
be something to stimulate; and the hope of being 
able, though in a small degree, to alleviate the suffer- 
ing seen on every hand nerves one for the Work and 
enables him to labor on week after week composedly, 
it may be, amid scenes the most revolting, with ghast- 
ly death staring him in the face at every turn. This 
is no place for idlers or the faint-hearted. Strong 
nerves, brave hearts, and willing hands are needed. 
My next visit was to the hospitals on the Heights, 
where I found a large number who have, to-day, ar- 
rived from the battlefield. Many of these were 
wholly unprovided for; some were lying upon the 
ground, others sitting upon old boxes, benches, and 
even the wood-pile, while the hot sun was pouring his 
searching beams upon them. Among these seemingly 
neglected ones was a poor fellow who had lost part of 
his lower jaw; his swollen face was bound around with 
an old blood-stained bandage, and the bloody water 
was running from his mouth. He could not speak, 
but looked, oh, so imploringly for help ! I resolved 
to do something for him. My first thought was to 
provide for him a bed ; but where was the bedding to 
come from ? It was suggested that I should go to a 
" Secesh " family, living about eighty rods from there, 



202 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

and try and beg some. I readily yielded to the sug- 
gestion ; but, on making known my errand, the woman 

I can not call lier lady — of the house utterly refused 

to let me have any, saying that they needed what little 
they had for themselves. I did not doubt her word, 
but told her she must try and divide with me, even if it 
were no more than a couple of quilts or blankets, as I 
wished to fix a bed for a soldier who was very badly 
wounded. But she still refused. " Yery well," I re- 
phed, "I shall report you to the Provost Marshal," 
and turned to leave, when an old gentleman — her 
father, I concluded — said, '' I reckon we can spare a 
couple of blankets and a mattress ; " and, without wait- 
ing for her consent, went into an adjoining room and 
brought them out. This was better than I expected, 
and more than I had asked for ; but, on seeing the blan- 
kets, I recognized them as belonging to " Uncle Sam." 
The look of gratitude the poor boy gave, as he lay 
down to rest upon his new bed, with a clean bandage 
about his face, will never be effaced fi-om memory. 

A few words in regard to our home-duties, per- 
haps, would not be amiss. We made our coffee in a 
caldron-kettle, stewed our fruit in a large copper 
boiler, and made our soups, puddings, and tea over 
the stove. It took one to attend to the storeroom, 
one or two busy cooking, and several constantly 



Tua BOYS i:t white. 203 

employed carrying and distributing supplies to the 
various hospitals. Oar rooms were continually be- 
sieged with weary, hungry soldiers, who were more 
fortunate than their comrades in not being wholly 
disabled. To all such, wherever they hailed from, 
coffee and crackers were furnished as long as the 
supply lasted. Among the soldiers detailed to assist 
us were Leonard Sears and George Taylor, of the 
Eighth Michigan ; James Meade and Frank Phillips, 
of the Twentieth ; Hall, of the Fourth ; Lewis Gridley,. 
of the Second ; and one whose name I have forgot- 
ten, whom we always called " Curly." Poor boy! he 
was mortally wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, 
and died while en route for Washington. In addition 
to the above there were three from the Twenty- 
Sixth, whose names I have not. These were not 
able-bodied men from the ranks, but convalescents 
from the hospitals, who were detailed at different 
times and places during the summer of 1864. They 
were faithful to duty, and did us excellent service. 

Tuesday^ the 17th. 
The wounded still arriving. Early this morning a 
long train came in and parked across the way from 
us. Among those who assisted in the work of feed- 
ing these was Chaplain Way, of the Twenty-Fourth 
Michigan Infantry, who always seems to know just 



204 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

what, when, and where to do. He is always willing 
to assist, and always at work. 

Many of these had been in the hands of the rebels, 
and were nearly starved. Most of them were se- 
riously, and many mortally wounded. Death was at 
work while on their way from the field ; his cold, icy 
fingers had chilled the life-current in the hearts of 
some. There was one poor man with both thighs 
amputated. As I handed him a cup of wine, he 
raised up, drank a few swallows, and, without a mur- 
mur or even a groan, lay down again. Instead of 
complaining at his hard lot, he had a word of thanks 
for this small favor. " Oh, what bravery this ! " 
thought I, as I passed on to the next ambulance. 
After all had been fed, the train moved on toward 
Belle Plain, where they are to be taken on board 
transports and carried further North. The suffering 
experienced during that tedious ride, what pen can 
portray? During the day I have been to several 
hospitals, with soup, crackers, milk-punch, tea, etc. 
One of these, formerly a stable, I found in a most 
deplorable condition. The wounded, terribly man- 
gled and covered with blood, were lying upon the 
floor. Many of these were rebels. Only a few hours 
had elapsed since their arrival from the field of bat- 
tle. A more heart- sickening sight I have not wit- 
nessed since coming to this bloody city. I could 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 205 

not pass them by neglected. Though enemies, they 
were nevertheless helpless, suffering human beings. 
I deemed it best to act in accordance with the in- 
junction: " If thine enemy hunger, feed him." 

With these few extracts from my journal, some- 
thing of an idea can be formed, not only of our work 
while in Fredericksburg, but also of the wretched 
condition of our hospitals — though, in most of these, 
great improvements were made before the place was 
evacuated. Cots were furnished, and other comforts 
supplied, which^it was impossible to have at first; 
for the wounded were brought in, not only by hun- 
dreds, but by thousands. Day after day, long trains 
freighted with human suffering continued to arrive, 
until it was estimated that there were at least ten 
thousand wounded in the city at a time. All the 
public buildings — the Court-House, churches, hotels, 
warehouses, factories, the paper mill, theatre, school- 
buildings, stores, stables, many private residences — 
and, in fact, everything that could give shelter was 
converted into receptacles for the wounded, until 
Fredericksburg was one vast hospital. 

Our daily duties were so similar, that an account 
of one day's work would be a fair specimen of every 
day's. We knew no rest until the wounded were all 
removed. Night ever found us weary and foot-sore. 
There was a large number of faithful laborers at Fred- 



206 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

ericksburg. The different commissions and State 
associations were there, each with a noble corps of 
earnest workers. Among these untiring ones was 
Mrs. General Barlow, whose husband commanded the 
First Division, Second Corps. Many of the improve- 
ments made in our hospitals — especially of the Second 
Corps — were the result of her personal efforts. She 
worked on through sunshine and storm, until her over- 
taxed system yielded to the ravages of disease, and 
she fell a martyr to the cause she had so faithfully 
served. But the laurels she won "are unfading, and 
will be verdant in heaven." Among the many faith- 
ful workers in Fredericksburg, I knew of none who 
accomplished more than Mrs. Samson, of Maine, and 
Miss Hancock, of Pennsylvania. They were not only 
earnest and faithful, but efficient — going where many 
would not think of venturing, overcoming obstacles to 
others insurmountable, yielding to discouragements 
never. Heat or cold, storm or sunshine, distance or 
danger, were nefver allowed to interfere with duty. 
There were many others whose noble deeds are re- 
corded on high. 

We were aided in our work by a number of volun- 
teer laborers, who, one after another, remained a few 
days or weeks, as they had opportunity. Among 
these were Colonel Barnes, Messrs. Bayley and Wal- 
lace, of Detroit; also, Messrs. Thompson, Moses, Pierce, 



THE BOYS IN WniTE. 207 

Horton, Willcox, and Green. Each day's work was 
full of incident, sad yet interesting. One morning, 
accompanied by Mr. Horton, I went with supplies to 
one of the hospitals, which I found in a most destitute 
and neglected condition. It was filled with wounded, 
brought in the night before. As yet they had eaten 
nothing, neither had they been visited by a surgeon, 
consequently their wounds remained undressed. The 
hospital was filthy beyond all comparison. After 
dishing out our soup and crackers to those poor half- 
starved men, Mr. H. began the work of dressing 
wounds, while I started in search of a surgeon, or 
some one, to assist him. At the Cavalry Corps Hos- 
pital — more than a mile distant — I secured the ser- 
vices of Steward Smith; and, as we were hurrying 
back to that abode of wretchedness, we were over- 
taken by Steward Dennis, of the Sixth Cavalry, who 
volunteered to assist us ; and very soon both were at 
work, in good earnest, while I hastened *'liome" to 
replenish our supply of rags, bandages, shirts, drawers, 
pillows, and handkerchiefs ; and then, assisted by the 
nurse, began the work of cleaning the hospital. Be- 
fore leaving, all had been fed, wounds dressed, clean 
clothing provided, the worst of the filth and dirt 
removed, and a large quantity of lemonade made foi* 
the "boys." One poor fellow died during the day, 
and three more before morning. In a few days, those 



208 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

who survived were removed, and the hospital again 
filled with others. Thus they continued to come 
and go, until the last wounded were brought from 
the field. 

The next day I made another visit to the hospitals 
on the "Heights." Mr. Marvin, A. C. 0. delegate, 
accompanied me. The heat was oppressive. The 
perspiration dropped profusely from our faces while 
climbing that long hill with our loaded baskets. We 
found a large number of new arrivals. In the open 
air, near one of the hospitals, amputations were being 
performed, and, from the pile of dissevered limbs near 
by, it was evident that the number was fearfully large. 
A young man in one of the wards, who had just been 
brought from the amputating - table, and had sufii- 
ciently recovered from the efiects of chloroform to 
realize his loss, was most bitterly deploring it. To 
him his loss was irreparable. All efforts to pacily 
him were made in vain ; he gave himself up to weep- 
ing, lamenting his great misfortune. 

But his was an exceptional case. The language of 
the wounded was oftener in accordance with the spirit 
of the following touching poem : 

" The knife was still ; tlie surgeon bore 
Tlie shattered arm away ; 
Upon his bed, in painless sleep, 
The noble hero lay. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 209 

He woke, but saw tlie vacant place 

Where arm of his had lain, 
Then faintly spoke : * Oh 1 let me see 

My strong right arm again.' 

«*Good-by, old arm!' the soldier said. 

As he clasped the fingers cold ; 
And down his pale but manly cheek 

The tear-drops gently rolled. 
*My strong right-arm, no deed of yours 

Now gives me cause to sigh ; 
But 'tis hard to part such trusty friends— 

Good-by, old arm ! Good-by 1 

"'You've served me well these many years, 
In simlight and in shade ; 

But, comrade, we have done with war- 
Let dreams of glory fade. 

You'll never more my sabre swing 
In battle fierce and hot ; 

You'll never bear another flag, 
Or fire another shot. 

"*I do not mourn to lose you now 
For home and native land ; 
Oh ! proud am I to give my mite 

For freedom, pure and grand. 
Thank God, no selfish thought is mine, 

While here I bleeding lie ; 
But bear it tenderly away. 

Good-by, old arm ! Good-by ! ' '* 

I often wondered at the cheerfulness and fortitude 
with which they bore not only their great losses, but 



210 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

SO mucli pain. If tliey were heroes amid the fierce 
conflict of battle, they were equally so when suffering 
in hospitals. On our return from this sad visit we 
were joined by Captain Williams, of the Seventh 
Michigan Infantry, who pointed out to us the battle- 
field of December 18th, 1862, and the very places 
where Michigan regiments were stationed; also the 
line of works charged on and carried. As I gazed 
upon those long lines of fortifications, "rising one 
above the other, tier upon tier," upon which rebel bat- 
teries were planted that mowed our men down so 
fearfully as they advanced in solid phalanx, facing 
those unyielding guns which continually belched 
forth their missiles of death, I did not wonder that 
they were compelled to fall back. It seems like mad- 
ness to have attempted to carry such works by direct 
attack. It was done at a fearful loss of life. The 
blood poured forth on that eventful day quenched the 
light in many a home. The battle work of thousands 
was that day completed, and they left sleeping upon 
the " green couch of our final rest." By how many, 
ere the heart grew still, might not the confession and 
the earnest appeal expressed in the following have 
been made? 

"I'm no saint! 
But, boys, say a prayer — there is one that begins 
* Our Father,' and then says, ' Forgive us our sins ; ' 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 211 

Don't forget that part, say tliat strong-l}', and tlien 
I'll try to repeat it, and you'll say 'Amenl' 
Ah! I'm no saint!" 

Not far from the 20tli of the month, tent hospitals 
were erected about a mile and a half from the city 
along the south bank of the Kappahannock, to which 
many of the more seriously wounded were removed, 
as the atmosphere, being so much purer than in the 
city, would greatly fa^or their recovery. To one of 
these tents Mr. Waters — whom I had previously men- 
tioned — was taken. The evening before his removal, 
when I took him his supper — consisting of tea and 
custard, which he had requested — I found him in 
great distress of mind. He had heard it rumored that 
he was to be removed, but knew not whither, and 
anxiously inquired, " What does it all mean ? " He 
was well aware that frequently, when soldiers were 
given up to die, they were taken into what was called 
the " death ward," and the poor man thought that was 
where he was to go ; but when he learned where he 
was going, and the reason therefor, the tears started 
from his eyes, and, with quivering lips, he exclaimed, 
"Oh! I thought my death-warrant was sealed." 
"Well, what if it were; are you afraid to die?" I 
asked. " Oh, no," he replied, " for my trust is in 
Jesus. I feel that all would be well with me were I 
to die ; but I have a large family who need me so 



212 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

mucli ; for their sakes I hope my life will be saved." 
When about to leave him he extended his hand, say- 
ing, " Now be sure and find me at the other hospital, 
wonH you ? " The promise was made and kept, but I 
found him fast sinking into the grave. He expressed 
little hope of recovery, but a good hope in Jesus. He 
was soon after removed to Washington and taken to 
Armory Square Hospital, where he lingered until the 
26th of June, when he exchanged his suit of blue for 
a robe of white, and laid him down to rest. After I 
had taken my leave of Mr. W. — the evening in ques- 
tion — and as I was hastily leaving the hospital, my 
attention was attracted to a soldier who was weeping 
and sobbing as though his heart would break. On 
going to him I recognized one to whose wants I had 
frequently ministered. On inquiring the cause of his 
trouble, "Oh, dear!" he exclaimed, "the doctor isn't 
going to let you bring anything more into the hospi- 
tal ; but, if you don't, I shall starve to death." I 
could scarcely convin-ce him that it was only a rumor, 
and that I should continue my visits as before, but he 
would not relinquish his hold on my hand until he 
had exacted a positive promise that I would surely 
come again ; and not until my next visit was he fully 
reassured that all was right. In a few days my poor 
one-armed boy was sent off, and I saw him no more. 
The same evening I again visited "Planter's Hotel." 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 213 

Edward Fisher, whom I found in the afternoon peace- 
ful and happy, was now raving with delirium. Ap- 
proaching his bed and calling him by name, I asked if 
he knew me; for a moment he appeared rational, 
looked up and smiled, but the next he was wild and 
delirious again. He had already given an arm for his 
country, and now he was about to offer his young life a 
sacrifice upon the same altar. Ere the morning's dawn 
he was enrolled in the army of the " Boys in White." 

Upon one of my visits to the Paper Mill Hospital 
I found seventy men who had eaten nothing for 
twenty-four hours. Although late in the afternoon, 
I promised the '* boys " that they should have some- 
thing to eat before I slept that night; so hurrying 
home I made farina and corn-starch puddings for these 
seventy hungry men. But, before returning to the 
hospital, rations had been issued, which, together with 
the puddings, they declared just made a good meal. 
At that late day I knew of no excuse for being short 
of government rations, and there must have been 
great neglect on the part of some one ; though when 
we first occupied Fredericksburg it was almost unpos- 
sible to procure transportation sufficient to convey 
supplies from Belle Plain, a distance of twelve miles 
from the city, and twenty-five or thirty from the army. 
Miich suffering and many deaths were the unavoidable 
result. 



211 THE BOYS IN WIIiTK 

Presently it began to be rumored tliat the city was 
about to be evacuated. It was thought by many that 
either Bowling Green or Port Eoyal would be the 
new base of operations — though all was conjecture. 
But soon the order to evacuate was received ; conse- 
quently our supplies, not yet disposed of, were packed, 
transportation procured, passes obtained, and every- 
thing put in readiness for a move. Wednesday, the 
25th of May, all the Michigan delegation, except my- 
self, went on board transports bound for "Washington. 
As I had a promise of transportation to the " new 
base," I greatly preferred going there to returning to 
Washington. Our tent hospitals were not broken up 
until the 2 7th/*. hough the last of the wounded (in the 
city) were removed the 25th. That morning I visited 
the Amputation Hospital — so called from the fact that 
nearly all the wounded there had been subjected to 
the amputating knife. This, I believe, was the last 
hospital in the city broken up. Most of the patients 
in it at this time were from Michigan. Among the 
number was a brave Indian chief, who had received a 
mortal wound, and died soon after arriving at Wash- 
ington. The others, as far as I know, recovered. The 
afternoon of the same day I made another visit to our 
tent hospitals, taking sundry articles for distribution, 
among which was a bottle of sherry brandy, for Mr. 
Waters, who, I knew, would greatly need stimulants 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 215 

during his tedious journey to Washington. That day 
I took my farewell leave of him. In one of the wards 
was a man in the agonies of death, alone and uncon- 
scious. Taking a fan, I stood by his cot and brushed 
away the flies, which were buzzing and swarming 
around him like bees. But the struggle was soon 
over ; he died without returning to consciousness. I 
deeply regretted afterwards that I did not obtain the 
address of some member of his family, and write the 
anxiously awaiting friends, whose dreadful suspense, 
perhaps, was not relieved until the official announce- 
ment of his death reached them. 

The Slaughter estate, on which these tents were 
pitched, was a lovely place. The site vl the mansion 
was delightful. A beautiful flower-garden, in which 
various kinds of roses blossomed abundantly, making 
the very atmosphere heavy with their fragrance, gra- 
dually sloped toward the river. But the old house 
was deserted ; it bore fearful testimony to the destruc- 
tive effect of balls, of both friend and foe. I never 
saw a building more completely riddled with shot and 
shell. 

The afternoon of the 26th, in company with four 
other ladies, who were also waiting transportation, I 
paid a visit to the tomb of Mrs. Mary Washington. 
The monument had evidently been struck by a can- 
non-ball, as the top was broken ofl', and lay in frag- 



216 TnE BOYS IN AVIIITE. 

ments on tlie ground. We gathered up a few pieces 
as sacred momentoes of the spot where repose the 
ashes of that noble woman — the mother of the 
"Father of his Country." As we stood in silence, 
gazing with solemn awe upon her grave, we could not 
help thinking of her son — that little boy, who once, 
perhaps, played in childish glee upon the very ground 
where we were standing, and who with his little 
hatchet cut the favorite cherry-tree, growing, as some 
affirm, upon the spot where that monument now 
stands. Then the beautiful lesson taught by his truth- 
ful simplicity, and the deep impression it made upon 
our minds in early life, were recalled; also the purity 
of his after life, his noble record, his philanthropic 
deeds, his peaceful death. With reflections like these 
we leave this venerated tomb, and slowly wend our 
way to the soldiers' burying-ground, and pay our last 
tribute of respect to the hundreds of brave men who 
were there resting from their labors, and " whose 
slumbers will not be broken until the reveille of the 
resurrection morn shall awake them." 

"Soldiers' graves are thickly scattered 

O'er tlie valley and the lea; 
They are sleeping on the mountains. 

They are sleeping by the sea." 

The morning of the 27th, a detachment of cavalry 
was sent out to the "wilderness" to recapture some 



• \ 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 217 

of our wounded who had been for several days in the 
hands of the rebels. Before night thej returned with 
forty of those poor half-starved men, whom I assisted 
in feeding after they were taken on board the steamer 
"George "Weems." About nine o'clock that eve- 
ning I went aboard the same boat. It was filled to its 
utmost capacity with the wounded, nurses, agents, 
officers and refugees. Next morning — as we had not 
left Fredericksburg— while waiting for the tide to 
come in, I went ashore and returned to our old quar- 
ters, nearly a mile and a half distant. Mrs. Mayhew 
and Mrs. Samson of Maine accompanied me. Having 
found the forgotten articles, which I was in search of, 
we retraced our steps ; but, supposing we had plenty 
of time, we strolled leisurely along, gathering flowers, 
and stopping a moment to gaze upon the lonely, de- 
serted hospitals that we" passed, in which so many 
distressing sights had been witnessed, and so much 
suffering experienced. 

On our way, several "Secesh" women greeted us 
with, " Good-by, Yanks ; glad you're going — reckon 
you won't get back here again." We most heartily 
responded to their expressions of joy. If they were 
rejoiced to have lis go, we were no less so to leave. 
When within a few rods of the landing, the whistle 
blew, the plank was taken in, the water-wheel began 
to revolve, and the boat to shove out from the shore. 



218 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

If we never before knew the meaning of the phrase 
" double quick," I think we then learned it; while the 
thought of being left in rebeldom every moment ac- 
celerated our speed. Hands extended to aid us were 
eagerly grasped, and with a desperate leap, as for life, 
we jumped on board. Had we been left, no alterna- 
tive would have remained to us, except that of march- 
ing the overland route with the troops, the last of 
whom were then slowly filing out of town ; for this 
was the last boat of any description that left Freder- 
icksburg, and all communication with the place that 
day ceased. At ten o'clock we bade farewell to the 
"bloody city" with its hundreds of sleeping braves. 
But we could not forget the sad experiences of the pre- 
vious two weeks. 

The weariness, the fatigue, the oppressive heat, the 
care and anxiety, the sick, the wounded, the dying, the 
dead; the long trains of ambulances freighted with 
human suffering, the bloody scenes, the torn and 
mangled bodies, the newly-made graves, were all fresh 
in mind, and, being securely locked in the halls of 
memory, can never be forgotten. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 219 



CHAPTER XV. 



PORT ROYAL — FROM PORT ROYAL TO WHITE HOUSE — AURIYAL OP 
AGENTS WITH SUPPLIES — BATTLE OF COAL HARBOR — SICK 
AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS — MAJOR LEWIS — A MASSACHUSETTS 
SOLDIER — EVACUATION OP WHITE HOUSE— A SAD ACCIDENT — 
THE DELAY — LAND AT CITY POINT — ARRIVAL OP MR. HOW- 
ARD WITH SUPPLIES — A CALL FROM GENERAL GRANT. 

After considerable delay, and entertaining many 
fears lest we should be attacked by guerrillas wlio 
were occasionally seen along the shore — until we were 
joined by a gunboat, under the protection of which 
we felt secure — we arrived at Port Eoyal Sunday 
morning at eight o'clock. Here we left the " George 
"Weems," which was en route for Washington, and 
went on board the exchange. While lying at anchor, 
services were held by the chaplain of the Sixth Wis- 
consin volunteers. His sermon — from the words, 
" The Lord is my shepherd " — was full of comfort. 
Those present upon that occasion will, I am sure, ever 
love to refer to it as one of the bright spots in their 
army life. Before arriving at Port Eoyal a touching 
incident occurred. A rebel soldier was dying, and, in 
great distress of mind, he asked to be prayed for. We 



220 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

gathered around his bed — a few professing Christians 
— and tried to point him to the " Lamb of God, who 
taketh away the sins of the world." Precious words 
of promise were read from the New Testament and 
prayer offered in his behalf, after which he seemed 
more composed, but he sank rapidly — as a wound in 
his neck had broken out afresh and was bleeding pro- 
fusely — and died, as we hope, trusting in Jesus. Late 
in the afternoon, learning from Dr. St. Clair, master 
of transportation, that another boat would leave the 
next day having better accommodations, I went 
ashore and put up for the night with a rebel family, 
which at that time consisted of an elderly lady and a 
little girl. I learned from the old lady that her hus- 
band was dead, and that her two sons were in the 
rebel army. Her servants had all deserted her. She 
a]3peared lonely and disconsolate, not having even the 
hope of victory to cheer her. 

Her hou.se was an old-fashioned vine-clad cottage ; 
the kitchen, with its huge fire-place and massive iron 
kettles, where the servants had formerly done the 
work, being separated from the main building, as is 
customary in the South. A large garden near by was 
filled with vegetables and flowers and interspersed 
with shade-trees and shrubbery, the whole being sur- 
rounded with a fine boxwood hedge. Li one part of 
the house were the head-qiiarter6 of Dr. Snow, of the 



• "k 



THE BOYS IX WHITE. _ 221 

Ninth Corps. Being detained here, contrary to expec- 
tation, until Monday evening, I endeavored to make 
myself useful by assisting about the cooking for the 
doctor and "mess." We got up quite a sumptuous 
dinner, consisting not only of pork, " hard tack " and 
coffee, as usual, but, in addition, " flour gravy," stewed 
goose, berries, and '' hoe-cake." Our Port Eoyal din- 
ner will certainly not soon be forgotten by those who 
partook, for it was a right royal one. 

Shortly after sundown we took leave of our kind 
hostess and went on board the steamer "Ocean 
Wave," bound for White House Landing, which place 
had been decided upon as the " new base." We 
anchor and await the tide next morning, when we find 
ourselves sailing down the Eappahannock. It is 
afternoon when we enter the Chesapeake bay, ninety 
miles from Port Eoyal. The day was extremely 
warm, but a fine breeze blowing from the bay renders 
the heat quite endurable. The scenery, portions of 
the way, was fina I enjoyed the passage very much, 
especially as it afforded a good opportunity for rest 
and preparation for another hard campaign. 

About seven in the evening we ran upon a sand-bar 
and anchored for the night The next morning we en- 
tered the York river, and at five P. M. the Pamunkey. 

The waters of this river, unlike those of the York, 
are dark and muddy, its banks low and marshy ; be- 



222 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

sides, tlie river is very crooked and tlie channel nar- 
row; consequently, it was not at all surprising tliat 
we ran aground again soon after dark, where we were 
obliged to remain until the tide came in the next 
morning. Point Lookout, where we had an extensive 
hospital, had been passed, also Yorktown — a place of 
great historical interest, rendered so, not only during 
our late war, but the Kevolutionary also. Here Lord 
Cornwallis surrendered his sword to General Greorge 
Washington. Here also, nearly a century later, Mc- 
Clellan's mighty army encamped for weeks, besieging 
the fortifications of the rebels, which they finally 
evacuated in safety, while his own brave men died by 
hundreds and thousands, of disease contracted in the 
pestilential swamps of the Chickahominy. 

Tuesday, the 2d of June, we land at White House, 
our new field of labor. No wounded had yet ar- 
rived, though a long train of ambulances could be 
seen, on the opposite side of the Appomattox, wait- 
ing for the river to be bridged in order to cross 
over. At the same time could be heard the boom- 
ing of guns, warning us to be in readiness to bind 
up the wounds they were making. 

A delegation from the Sanitary and Christian Com- 
missions went over by boat, with supplies for those 
having already arrived. Our hospitals were not yet 
established, though, before night, a large number of 



THE BOYS m WHITE. 223 

tents were in readiness to shelter the wonnded as 
soon as they should arrive. Soon after landing I 
learned of the timely arrival of Messrs. Kellogg, Cater, 
and Lapand, from "Washington, with supplies ; but, a 
cold, drenching rain coming on, which lasted all 
night, and having no shelter for our goods, they 
were not taken from the barge until next day, when 
Dr. St. Clair kindly, loaned us a large tent, and a team 
with which to bring up our goods. In a short time 
all were hard at work. Mrs. No well, of Philadel- 
phia, volunteered to assist 'us, and remained with us 
several days. We cooked over a range outside of 
our tent until a stove was procured — which was al- 
ready promised me by Dr. Burmaster, Surgeon in 
charge of the Second Corps hospitals. At night we 
made two tents of one, by putting in a canvas parti- 
tion; and for beds, spread our blankets upon the 
ground, which, if not the best substitute for feathers 
or mattress, answered very well. My first night at 
this place I was provided for by Dr. Snow, who gave 
me possession of one of his unoccupied hospital-tents, 
sent me a stretcher and blankets for a bed, also a 
warm supper and breakfast — a kindness fully appre- 
ciated and gratefully remembered. 

The 3d inst, the wounded were arriving nearly all 
day from the battle of Coal Harbor, among whom 
I found a cousin — Lieutenant Tracy, of the Seventh 



221: THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Micliigan lufantry — whose brother was wounded at 
the battle of the Wilderness. "Frank" will not, I 
am sure, soon forget the many times he drew rations 
from the "Michigan Eelief," at Fredericksburg. 

The afternoon of the same day the rest of the 
Michigan agents and three Pennsylvania delegates, 
viz.: Mr. Kitz, Mrs. Price, and Miss Sayles, arrived 
with a large supply of hospital- stores and two addi- 
tional tents. At this place the Michigan and Penn- 
sylvania Associations worked together. We had our 
goods in common, and endeavored, to the extent of 
our efforts, to relieve suffering. 

We remained at White House until the 14th — at 
least I did. The wounded were almost constantly 
arriving, as battles were daily being fought. Work 
was the order of the day, and I trust I shall not be 
considered egotistical when I say we did work early 
and late. Eest belonged only to the past, or was 
looked forward to in the future; it had no connec- 
tion with the present. 

Going to the numerous hospitals with supplies of 
all kinds; cooking soups, puddings, custards; making 
tea, coffee, lemonade, milk-punch; preparing "special 
diet" for individual cases, dressing wounds, bathing 
burning brows, receiving dying messages, writing to 
friends of the disabled and deceased, were among 
our daily duties. Sad and distressing scenes met us 



THE EOYS IN WHITE. 225 

at every turn. Death was a daily visitor. Graves 
almost hourly increased in numbers ; and even then 
the demand was not fully met, for it was no uncom- 
mon sight to see, in going from tent to tent, from 
one to half-a-dozen lifeless forms wrapped in their 
blankets, mutely pleading for burial. 

Not nnfrequently the sick and wounded were oblig- 
ed to lie a long time upon the ground in the burning 
sun, before shelter could be provided. The 6th of the 
month, a large number belonging to the Ninth Corps 
were thus unsheltered and unprotected from the heat 
of day and the chilling dews of night. Among these 
there was one whose emaciated form and imploring 
look particularly attracted my attention, and seemed 
to demand special aid and sympathy. This was 
James E. Eouse, a member of the Michigan Second. 
Placing my umbrella over him, I finished distributing 
my lemonade and crackers, and then tried to find a 
vacant place in some tent to which I could remove 
him ; but without success. The best I could do was 
to make a bed on the shady side of one of the tents, 
underneath the ropes, which I covered with a shel- 
ter-tent. To this he was taken, bathed, and provided 
with clean clothes. The few days he remained there, 
I took him his meals regularly. A cup of tea and a 
few mouthfuls of toast were about all he would take at 
a time. At length he was removed into a hospital. 



22 G THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

lie still continued to fail, and in a few da3^s lie was 
gone. But instead of being sent to Washington, as I 
\vas told, lie liad been removed into another tent, 
where I found him the evening before leaving the 
place, dying. As I approached his bed — if bed it 
could be called — ^he recognized me, and tried to speak, 
but was too far gone to say much. A few words 
about home, in which I caught the words, " wife — my 
children," were all I could understand. Soon he be- 
came unconscious, and apparently near his end. Ee- 
maining as long as I could be of any service, I return- 
ed to my quarters, and called again early next morn- 
ing to see him, but he was gone. I learned from the 
nurse that he died during the night, and was already 
buried. 

Sunday, the 5th, among the many who were brought 
from the field, was the body of Major Lewis, of the 
Eighth Michigan volunteers, who fell mortally wound- 
ed at the battle of Coal Harbor. Dr. Fox, of the 
same regiment, came in with the body, and was the 
first to break the heart-rending news to the widowed 
wife. 

The coat in which he fell was left in my care, 
and forwarded to her the first opportunity. Oh ! sad 
reminder of bloody scenes and a hero's death ! His 
last words were about wife and country. He would 
lia\ c her know that, even in death, she was not for- 



THE BOYS IN" WHITE. 227 

gotten. " But," said he, *' I would live that I might 
serve my country longerT 

" Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead. 

Dear as the bloody grave ; 
No impious footsteps here sball tread 

The herbage of your grave. 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While Fame her record keeps. 
Or honor points the hallowed spot 

Where valor proudly sleeps." 

There was one I cannot fail to mention. A noble 
Massachusetts soldier was mortally wounded, jet un- 
conscious of his fate, until informed of it by a Christian 
surgeon, who advised him, if he had any accounts with 
eternity to settle, to attend to them at once. " What,'' 
he quickly replied, " am I going to die ? " He ap- 
peared greatly distressed, for the thought of death had 
not before entered his mind. Taking from under his 
pillow photographs of a beautiful-looking woman and 
sweet little girl — his wife and child — ^he looked at 
them a few moments with tear-dimmed eyes, and then 
exclaimed : *' My God ! Can I leave them ? Shall I 
never see them again ? " Oh, it was hard for him to 
die and leave them, but he never saw them more, for 
in a few days he was numbered with the *' Boys in 
White." 

The 10th inst., having received a call from Surgeon 



228 THE BOYS IN wniTE. 

Bonine — wlio was in cliarge of the third division 
Ninth Corj)s hospital, situated at the extreme front — 
for supplies, I sent an ambulance load of stores, con- 
sisting of canned fruits and meats, condensed milk, 
loaf-sugar, picMes, lemons, wine, brandy, etc., which I 
drew from the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, 
and to his care they were entrusted for distribution, as 
the appeal was for himself as well as those in his 
charge. Hear his words : "For God's sake, Julia, send 
me something I can eat, or I shall die." 

Perhaps there are those who might think I did 
wrong in trusting to care of a " doctor " sanitary stores. 
Now while I would not, for a moment, excuse the 
course pursued by many army surgeons during the 
war, in appropriating for their own use articles de- 
signed only for the sick, yet there were times and 
places — especially during an active campaign — when 
a faithful surgeon, working night and day among 
scenes the most revolting, needed, and was justly en- 
titled to, something more than "hard tack." When 
far from the base of supplies, and not even a sutler in 
the army, money was of little account. Let one such 
as Dr. Bonine have fainted at his post of duty, and 
many lives would have been sacrificed in consequence. 
All honor to surgeons, as well as to other of&cers who 
are faithful in the discharge of duty. 

The 11th, it was rumored that the place was soon to 



TITE BOYS TX WHITE. 229 

bo evacuated, and the next morning an order to that 
effect was received ; accordingly our goods were pack- 
ed, and Sunday afternoon were put into a barge ready 
to be sent to tlie new "base." The wounded were 
being removed as fast as transportation could be pro- 
cured, though at this time there were nearly two thou- 
sand not yet sent off; besides, the afternoon of the 
same day, Dr. Smith, of the Twenty-seventh Michigan 
volunteers, came in with sixty more, forty of whom 
were Michigan men, and, therefore, especially entitled 
to our supplies. The doctor immediately appealed to 
us for aid ; but, our goods having all been removed, he 
applied to the Sanitary Commission. 

It having been suggested that a part of the Mich- 
igan delegation should remain with a portion of our 
siipplies, until all the hospitals were broken up, Mrs. 
Johnson and myself volunteered to stay ; but it being 
neither convenient nor thought best to have any of our 
stores brought back, we applied to the Christian Com- 
mission, and obtained permission to draw on them; 
but our stores and cooking-utensils being gone, we 
could accomplish but little, and, by the request of one 
of the Sanitary agents, went and assisted in their low 
diet kitchen. Mrs. J. finally concluded to go with 
the rest of our agents, who left Monday evening, the 
13th inst., and the next day, at 5 P. M., I went on 
board the steamer " New Jersey," and was soon sail- 



2 no THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

iDg down tlie Pamunkey on our way to City Point, 
leaving, forever it may be, "White Ilouse," with not 
only its linndreds and thousands of its newly-made 
graves, but also the many grass-covered mounds of 
McClellan's braves. 

" Bend in love, O azure sky ! 

Sliine, O stars ! at evening time. 
Watch where heroes calmly lie, 
In their faith and hope sublime." 

The groimd occupied by our hospitals at this place 
consists of a large estate containing five thousand 
acres, formerly owned by the widow Custus, after- 
wards the wife of George Washington. The mansion, 
I am sorry to say, was burned during the war, and, at 
the time I was there, nothing remained to mark the 
spot where it stood except the tall chimneys. A few 
days after arriving at this our field of labor, Mrs. 
Plumb, one of our agents, returned to Washington 
with a brother, whom she found severely wounded. 
We regretted to lose her services, for we had no more 
efficient worker than Mrs. P. Though meeting her 
there for the first time, I soon learned to highly es- 
teem and love her, as every one must who knows her, 
for she is a noble Christian woman, just such an one 
as was needed in the army. Another excellent lady 
who came to assist us in our work was Mrs. Gridley, 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 231 

from Hillsdale, in wliom v/e found an earnest and 
efficient laborer — a lady in every sense of the word. 
Her two sons were serving tlieir country — one in the 
army, the other in the navy. 

Mrs. Mahan, also of Hillsdale, having volunteered 
her services, was at this time employed in Washing- 
ton. She remained about six months, and returned 
home, leaving a record bright with noble deeds. 
Among the many from my own State who were en- 
gaged in the work of caring for our soldiers, I know 
of none whose zeal for and devotion to the cause sur- 
passed that of Mrs. Tunnecliffe and Mrs. Millard, 
wives of our State agents in Washington. Early and 
late, they might be found either in a crowded of&ce, 
endeavoring to render assistance to the numerous 
applicants who appealed to them for aid, or out on 
some errand of mercy, looking after the neglected and 
those who seemed to have no helper. One of our 
number — Mr. Eitz, of Pennsylvania — who was de- 
voted, soul and body, to the cause he was serving, 
has long since ceased from his labors and received his 
reward. Others are scattered far and wide, no more, 
perhaps, to meet, until the final "muster-roll" is 
called. 

It was my pleasure, while at White House, fre- 
quently to meet that good man, Professor Estabrook, 
whose efforts in behalf of the suffering have caused 



282 THE P.OYS IN WITITK. 

his name to be clierislied in thousands of homes 
beyond the limits of our own State. He is one of 
those of whom it was said : " Ye are the light of the 
world." 

We arrived at City Point, the 18th. Had a plea- 
sant passage from White House, though a little 
tedious, as we were delayed at Fort Powhattan, on 
the James, from Thursday evening nntil Saturday 
morning, by the army crossing the river on pontoons 
a few miles below us. On our way we passed the 
famous Rip Raps, where many of our soldiers and 
otliers were senteuced, for various crimes, to hard 
labor during the war. The place where that brilliant 
engagement between the little Monitor and the iron- 
clad Merrimac occurred, March 9th, 1862, was pointed 
out to us. The accommodations on the " New Jersey" 
were good. All the ladies were provided with comfort- 
able state-rooms ; but we came to short rations before 
arriving at our place of destination, as we divided 
with some sick soldiers wbo were with us, and were 
delayed thirty-six hours. 

A sad accident occurred about two o'clock the 
morning after leaving White House, while anchored 
in the Pamunkey waiting for the tide. All was still 
as midnight, when suddenly there was beard a plunge, 
struggling, splashing, and cries for help from below. 
At the same instant several voices were heard ex- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 233 

claiming, " A man overboard ! " A life-preserver was 
immediately thrown him, but, there being a heavy 
mist on the surface of the water, it floated past him 
unnoticed. The incoming tide was rapidly bearing 
him away. I endeavored, but in vain, to throw him 
my life-preserver, by crowding it through the small 
window of my state-room as he floated by. A life- 
boat was lowered and two men went in pursuit ; soon 
another boat followed. The poor fellow's cries for 
help could still be heard. I watched him out of sight, 
and even then I could hear him call out, " This way, 
this way, gentlemen, hurry up ; I can't keep up much 
longer;" and then the reply, '* We're coming, we're 
almost there, keep up good courage." At length the 
splashing of the oars dies away, and the voices become 
fainter and fainter ; yet we can still hear the boatmen 
call, "Where are you? "and the reply, very faintly, 
" Here, here, this way ! " but soon it ceases, and we all 
wait in almost breathless silence for the return of the 
life-boats. Soon we catch the sound of the splashing 
oars, and eager voices are heard asking, "Did you 
save him ? " Our hearts almost cease to beat and 
the blood nearly freezes in our veins as we hear the re- 
ply, " No, he went down when we were almost in 
reach of him." Oh, how much harder for the dear 
friends at home to part with him thus than if he had 
fallen in battle ; that they might have expected, but 



234: THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

iliis tliey were wliolly unprepared for. Landing at 
City Point, I reported to Dr. Dalton, medical director, 
but was disappointed in finding that the rest of our 
agents had not yet arrived, though they left White 
House twenty-four hours in advance. The cause of 
the delay, however, we learned from Mrs. Johnson, 
who arrived toward evening the same day. There 
had been an order issued that none of the State Belief 
Associations should be permitted to go the new 
*'base" without permission from the Secretary of 
War. Hence they had no alternative but to remain 
at Fortress Monroe until they could despatch some 
one to Washington for the requisite passes, which de- 
layed them until the 22d. 

The goods belonging to the Christian Commission, 
which were loaded in the same barge with ours, were 
removed to another boat, and Mrs. Johnson came on 
as one of their delegates. While in doubt as to what 
course to pursue, being without supplies, we were 
here, as at White House, providentially provided for 
by the arrival of Mr. Howard from Washington with 
hospital stores. Before morning the wounded began 
to arrive, and with their arrival began our work. 
Our hospitals were not yet established, though the 
location was decided upon. It was situated about a 
mile from the Point, along the bank of the Appoma- 
tox ; and the next day scores of tents went up, which 



THE BOYS m WHITE. 235 

were soon filled with the wounded. Soon after land- 
ing at City Point I was joyfully surprised in meeting 
an old friend — Mr. Fox, of Kalamazoo — a volunteer 
laborer in the cause of humanity. But the great 
event of the day was the honor of a call from General 
Grant, the great American hero, who came into our 
tent, sat perhaps twenty minutes, conversed freely 
about the war, and seemed to take a great interest in 
the work in which we were engaged. To the inquiry 
whether he would be in Eichmond by the 4th of 
July, he shook his head and replied, " ISTo, not by the 
fourth ; I have not laid my plans to that effect. I 
shall go there ; I'm just as sure of it as can be, but we 
have more hard fighting to do first." He then added: 
"I am nearly worn out, for I have scarcely had a 
day's rest since the war began." Before leaving he 
gave each of us his autograph, shook hands and bade 
us '*good-by." "We assured him he should still have 
our prayers, as he already had our confidence. He 
thanked us, and was gone. 



236 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 



CHAPTER XVL 



jrAJOR BABNES — HOSPITALS ESTABLISHED — MKS. JOHNSON RE- 
TUKNS TO WASHINGTON — ABRIVAL OP MRS. GIBBS — HER 
RETURN WITH A WOUNDED SON — CAVALRY HOSPITAL — 
AM TAK:feN SICK WITH TYPHOID FEVER — REV, MR. JOSS — 
HOT WEATHER — A SEVERE STORM — ^LEAVING CITY POINT — 
REBEL OFFICERS — THE RELAPSE — RETURN TO MICHIGAN — 
A DARK PERIOD — MY SISTER'S BEREAVED FAMILY — THE 
CALL OF DUTY. 

As I have before stated, tlie rest of our agents, with 
the balance of our goods, arrived the 2 2d. Mrs. 
Brainard, however, remained only one night, having 
received orders to return to Washington, where her 
services were greatly needed. Our work here was so 
similar to that at White House, that it is not necessary 
to enter into details. I will only mention an instance 
or two, and then pass to a more general account of our 
work. The day after arriving at City Point, the 
wounded began to come in in large numbers. Quite 
early in the morning a long train of ambulances filled 
with mangled bodies arrived, and halted a short time, 
until a hospital boat was in readiness to receive them. 
While busy at work, a soldier came to me in great 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 237 

iiaste, and begged me to go and see his major, saying: 
"He is dreadfully wounded." Leaving my work, I 
accompanied him. We hastily passed ambulance 
after ambulance, until it seemed as though we never 
would reach the last one. At length he stopped, and, 
pointing to one of them, said, "He is in that one." 
Carefully springing upon the step at the rear of the 
ambulance, and looking in, 1 saw Major Barnes, of the 
Twentieth Michigan, lying by the side of a brother offi- 
cer, who was also badly wounded. On inquiring what I 
could do for them, " Oh," said Major B., "if you could 
only get me out of this ambulance, for it does seem as 
though I shall die if I stay here much longer." I pro- 
mised to see what could be done, but found that the 
train would so soon move to the landing, that it was 
thought best not to make any change until it reaches 
its destination. I can never forget the look almost of 
despair depicted on his countenance as I reported this, 
for all hope of recovery seemed to have left him. Still 
anxious to do something for him, I hurried back to 
m}^ tent, and soon returned with a cup of tea and a 
pillow. "Oh," he exclaimed, as he drank the tea, 
" that tastes so good." Placing the pillow under his 
liead, I bade him be of good cheer, and, with a heavy 
heart, stepped down from the ambulance. The train 
moved on, and I saw him no more. A few days after, 
I learned that he died before rcacln'ng Washington. 



238 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

Oh! those sad sights! those tedious, toilsome days! 
How glad we sometimes were to have the darkness of 
night hide from view the revolting scenes witnessed by 
day, when the cooling breeze would fan fevered brows 
and wounds inflamed, and gently lull to sleep. But 
even then the moans of some poor sufferer would 
often reach our ears, causing us to wish for immortal 
bodies, which would neither wear out nor become 
weary. But 

" The hopes, the fears, the blood, the tears 
That marked the bitter strife. 
Are now all crowned by victory 
That saved the nation's life." 

Our hospitals at this place were very extensive. 
The Second, Fifth, Sixth and Ninth Corps were large- 
ly represented in this department. Tents continued 
to go up until our little canvas village assumed the 
proportions of a city. The Cavalry Corps also had a 
large hospital about two miles from here. Day after 
day the wounded came pouring in from the battles and 
skirmishes so frequently occurring. Cannonading was 
daily heard, frequently rapid and heavy; and oc- 
casionally the rattle of musketry and the screeching 
of shells saluted our ears, while the smoke of battle 
could plainly be seen, and sometimes even the man- 
ceuvering of the troojts — tlius mingling with our ar- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 239 

duous duties ^eat excitement, and occasionally 
alarm. 

In less than two weeks after landing at City Point, 
Mrs. Jolmson left me and returned to Washington for 
a few days' rest. Mrs. Gibbs, a lady who was devot- 
ing her time and strength to the cause her husband 
and son was serving, arrived the day she left ; yet I 
greatly missed her, for we had worked together nearly 
six weeks. Her sei'vices, especially as a '' dresser," 
were invaluable. Mrs. G., finding one of her sons 
among the wounded, remained only a week, and then 
returned with him to Washington, and I was again 
left alone, as far as ladies' help in our own depart- 
ment was concerned; and yet I was not alone, for 
nearly every loyal State was there represented by 
a corps of faithful laborers, all earnestly engaged in 
the same noble work. Mr. Howard* remained in 
charge of the tents containing our supplies, and 
worked with a zeal that knew no respite until our 
Association, having completed its work at the front, 
was recalled from the field. While here I fi'equent- 
ly met "Bridget," of the First Michigan Cavalry, 
and occasionally "Anna," of the Third Infantry, 
whose services, according to the testimony of the 
surgeons of those regiments, were invaluable. They 

* He has also ceased from his laborers, having died of typhoid 
fever two years ago. 



240 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

remained with tlieir respective regiments until the 
close of the war — sharing the ever- varying and shift- 
ing fortunes of the same. 

I made but one visit to the Cavalry Hospital while 
at City Point, on account of its long distance from the 
other hospitals. It was situated in a most delightful 
place. A beautiful lawn with its green carpeting 
gradually sloped toward the river, which rolled peace- 
fully along at the foot of the hill, its banks skirted 
with a variety of trees, beneath whose grateful shade 
convalescents reclined, some with books in hand, others 
playing at cards, or some other " innocent" amusement, 
to while away the tedious hours of the long, hot day. 
The tents were the most comfortable of any I ever saw 
in the field. Each patient was provided with a good 
bed, not the narrow hospital cot, but what are called 
single beds, and furnished with mattress, sheets, pil- 
lows, and a "patched" quilt, in lieu of the coarse 
army blanket. The wards were decorated with ever- 
greens, and everything looked neat and clean. In- 
stead of clouds of dust, the air was bright and clear. 
Compared with our Infantry hospitals, surrounded 
with sand and dust, it seemed like an earthly paradise. 
But, amid all these natural beauties, many a brave 
heart ceased to beat; for Death sought out this lovely 
retreat, and bore hence his victims. Though fir more 
comfortable, the sick were no better sup})lied with del- 



THE BOYvS IN WHITE. 241 

icacies than those in other hospitals. Hence we di- 
vided our stores with them, sending, from time to 
time, such things as they most needed. 

While there was so much to be done, duties daily 
increasing, my work for the summer was rapidly 
drawing to a close. The fever which had so long 
threatened me finally obtained the mastery. The 6th 
of July, I did my last day's work at that place. 
From that time until I left City Point — four weeks 
later — I was almost entirely confined to my bed. 
During that illness I learned from sad experience 
how to sympathize with the sick around me; but, 
when comparing my condition with theirs, I found I 
was so much better off than they, that I had no heart 
to complain. While I had a bunk — narrow and hard 
though it was — many of them had none. My tent 
could boast a floor, theirs could not. Besides, I was 
daily supplied with ice and numerous other articles 
which many a poor soldier did not get. For these 
things, I was indebted to the Kev. Mr. Joss, of the 
Sanitary Commission, but for which, especially the 
ice, I do not think I should now be here to express 
to him, through these pages, my gratitude. Though 
having good medical treatment, I feel that, under the 
blessing of God, I owe my life to this reverend 
gentleman. 

I have ever looked upon my acquaintance with 



242 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

him as strikingly providential. While at Fredericks- 
burg, I was led by the providence of God to care for 
a brother of his, who was supposed to be mortally 
wounded, but who finally recovered, and, hearing of 
my illness, directed this brother to find me and return 
the favors shown him. They were returned an hun- 
dredfold. Oh I that hot, dusty July ; those long, 
weary days and sleepless nights ; the scorching sun, 
beating down upon my tent ; the swarms of flies ; that 
little rusty tin pail, out of which, for the want of 
something better, I drank my gruel ; the heated, suffo- 
cating atmosphere ; the anxiety to be at work ; how 
fresh in memory! 

As the season advanced, the heat became more 
intense and the dust more intolerable. The long 
trains of army wagons that were constantly moving 
to and fro, only a few rods from us, were scarcely 
visible, being so completely enveloped in clouds of 
dust 

On the night of the 24th, there was a sudden and 
most grateful change in the weather. A heavy rain- 
storm came up, accompanied with high wind and 
severe thunder and lightning. It was a gloomy night, 
yet full of grandeur. My tent swayed to and fro in 
the wind; bright flashes of lightning and almost Egyp- 
tian darkness rapidly succeeded each other, while the 
crashing of thunder was far more grand than any dis- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 243 

charge of artillery of human invention. Many tents 
were blown down, whose occnpants were left to the 
tender mercies of the storm. When the mornino^ 
dawned we seemed to be in a new world. The air 
was clear and pure, our clean white tents glistened in 
the sunlight, the slow -moving trains were in fall 
view, the trees and bushes were relieved of their 
dusty coats, and all nature, animate and io animate, 
seemed to rejoice. 

The 2d of August, I left City Point, in company 
with Mrs. Johnson (who had been with me some ten 
days), and was taken to "Washington. On the steamer 
— the "Yanderbilt" — on which we took passage, 
were twenty-one rebel officers, prisoners of war. As 
they frequently passed my window, I entered into 
conversation with them. The war, as a matter of 
course, was the subject discussed; but they all, with 
one accord, acknowledged the hopelessness of their 
cause, and confessed that it would have been better 
had they not appealed to the sword. They said they 
had no desire to divide the Union ; but they thought 
their "rights" had been infringed upon, and for these 
they were fighting. I inquired what "rights" they 
had lost, or had been "infringed upon." All were 
silent a moment, then one replied : " Our rights in 
regard to slavery." The interference of the North 
with this institution they believed to be the cause of 



244 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

the war ; and yet they confessed that, if it were even 
so, it was no just cause for declaring war. I never 
conversed with a rebel who could give an intelligent 
answer to the questions concerning the loss of his 
*' rights," but they would invariably fall back, as a 
last resort, upon the interference of the I^orth with 
slavery. 

Arriving in Washington, I was taken to the house 
of a lady widely known for her labors of love for the 
soldiers — a loyal "Washingtonian, the only one of her 
family who remained true to the cause of freedom 
and right during the dark days of the rebellion. The 
fatigue of the journey brought on a relapse, so that I 
was not able to leave the city for five weeks. I then 
returned to Michigan, and remained through the 
winter, recruiting my health and collecting money 
for the benefit of the soldiers. 

I learned during that illness, as I never could in 
health, how to appreciate the gratitude so often mani- 
fested by soldiers, even for trifling favors. I can now 
understand the feelings expressed by a wounded sol- 
dier in a letter received from him since the close of 
the war, in which he asks if I remember the flowers I 
gave him while in a hospital at Fredericksburg ; and 
then spoke of the good they did him, and the tears 
he shed over them. " Why," he added, " for a while 
they caused me to forget my pain, and I felt a renew- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 245 

cd courage to bear my sufferings more bravely, for to 
me they were a token of sympathy, and I felt that I 
was not forgotten." As I perused this letter, how 
vividly I recalled a little incident that occurred in my 
own experience, while sick at City Point. One after- 
noon, Dr. Smith, of the First Michigan Cavalry, 
brought me a bunch of beautiful wild-flowers, most 
delicately tinted. I had not seen a flower, or scarcely 
a green leaf or a spire of grass for weeks before, whicb 
caused them to be the more fully appreciated. Oh, 
how many times during those lonely hours they were 
as a friend to me, with whom I conversed ; and often- 
times tears would unbidden start as I gazed upon 
their loveliness, for of all the beautiful things in this 
beautiful world, they alone adorned my " canvas 
home." They were placed in a cup by my bed, where 
they remained until they began to wither, and their 
little petals to fall off; then I pressed them in my 
Bible, and I still cherish them as sweet mementoes 
from a fragrant oasis in that sandy desert. 

The simplest favor was sometimes most blessed in 
its results. The following I had entirely forgotten until 
reminded of it by the soldier long after he was mus- 
tered out of the service. The summer of 1864, while 
in a hospital at White House landing, he had a severe 
attack of neuralgia. As I was passing one day through 
the ward in which he was lying, he inquired if I knew 



2-16 THE BOYS IN WHITE 

of anytliing that would relieve Mm. I recommended 
something — I do not remember what — which I pro- 
mised to bring him the next day ; bnt when, returning 
to mj quarters, I began to think of his sufferings, and 
his look of appeal for help, I could not rest until my 
remedy had been tried. Though nearly night, and 
more than half a mile distant, I returned with the me- 
dicine, bathed his face, gave directions for its use, and 
left him with the assurance that it would help him. I 
never saw him again, until the time to which I refer, 
when he called my mind to this circumstance. " Oh," 
said he, "that medicine acted like a charm; it effected 
a perfect cure ; for from that hour neuralgia and I 
parted friendship." 

The summer of 1864 was a dark period — ^perhaps 
the darkest in the history of the rebellion. Thou- 
sands, yea, tens of thousands of lives were sacrificed 
at the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Coal 
Harbor, and those in the vicinity of Petersburg, seem- 
ingly to little or no purpose ; yet they all had refer- 
ence to the grand result soon to be achieved. The 
terrific explosion of the 30th of July was distinctly 
heard at our quarters, a distance of ten miles. Among 
the many who fell upon that fearful day, was the eld- 
est son of Eev. Alfred Connell, of Ionia — an exemp- 
lary, Christian young man, whose life was full of pro- 
mise. But as "Death loves a shining mark," one of 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 247 

his deadly shafts was aimed at him. The object of 
those weeks of mining was not obtained ; Petersburg 
was not taken, Kichmond was lost, and our starving 
soldiers must wait many more long months before the 
day of their release dawns. Oh! how many times 
during war's dark hours we felt like exclaiming, 

*'Tlie dead are everywhere! 

The mountain-side, the plain, the wood profound. 
All the wide earth, the fertile and the fair, 
Is one vast burying - ground ! " 

But we are comforted with the thought that they 
died not in. vain. ISTo, 

"They have fallen, they have fallen, 
In the battles of the free, 
And their fame will be remembered 
In the ages yet to be. 

" They have fallen, thoy have fallen, 

In a high and holy cause, 
Fighting for our starry banner, 

For our country and its laws; 
For the glorious cause of freedom, 

For the land our fathers loved; 
For the rights, which, spite of sceptres, 

Man proclaimed and Gfod approved. 

"They have fallen, they have fallen. 
In the fierceness of the strife. 
Leaving us to bear the battle. 
And the burden of this life; 



248 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

While tlieir disembodied spirits 
Wing their way to realms above, 

Where they sing their songs of triumph 
Round the great white throne of love." 

The following is tlie amount of money collected 
wliile in Michigan, in the winter of 1865: 



Proceeds Children's Fair, . 


Kalamazoo, . 


$10 35 


Soldier's Aid Society, . 


South Jackson, 


4 00 


Proceeds Oyster Supper, 


t< (( 


50 00 


« « « 


Muir, 


75 00 


« « « 


Salem, . 


43 85 


Collection, Baptist Church,. 


. -v^ . 


26 15 


Cash, Pontiac. By request, name not given. 


10 00 


Social, Ionia, including a few individual con- 




tributions, . 


. 


60 70 


Proceeds Oyster gupper. 


Northfield, 


25 35 


* Tableaux, . 


Galesburg, 


25 00 


« « 


Chelsea, . 


37 00 


Collection, Episcopal Church, 


Ann Arbor, 


23-35 


Dutch M.E. Church 


" " 


2 75 


From Brighton, 


. 


5 00 


Individual contributions. 


. . . . 


1 50 



Total, $400 00 

In regard to the children's fair here mentioned, 
I would say that it was held by only three little 
children, viz. : Ella May, Frank and Ido Knapin. 
The weather was cold and rainy, but they did not 
mind the cold, for their hearts were in their work. 
The tableaux at Chelsea were gotten up almost 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 249 

entirely tlirongli the earnest efforts of Miss Josie May 
and Miss White, who, I believe, have never before 
had credit therefor. 

Had I begun my work of collecting a little earlier, 
before the holiday season was over, during which fairs 
had been held, and various other means employed 
to raise money, I might have doubled, and perhaps 
tripled the amount collected ; for nearly every place 
I visited I was met with, " Why didn't you come 
sooner ? A week or two earlier, and we might have 
raised twice as much as we now can." But if the 
money only went for the desired object, it mattered 
little through what channel it was conveyed. I would 
take this opportunity to acknowledge publicly the 
receipt of thirty dollars from friends in Muir and 
vicinity, ten from South Jackson, and twenty from 
Salem, besides a few dollars from individual persons 
as a present to myself. I here renew my thanks to 
each and every donor ; for it was only through occa- 
sional donations of this kind that I was enabled to 
continue my work so long. One of my former teach- 
ers at Kalamazoo, to whom I was indebted thirty 
dollars for money hired while in school, kindly took 
up the note, thus relieving me of all anxiety of how 
that debt, though small, was to be paid. 

I know of no better way ,than through the pages 
of this little book to notify the members of the Twcn- 



250 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

tj-sixth regiment of Michigan Infantry of the beauti- 
ful gold watch, with chain, pin, and corps badge, pur- 
chased with the money so generously donated by 
themselves in the spring of 1864. It is handsomely 
engraved with name, date, and regiment. To me it 
has a value far exceeding its intrinsic worth, for many 
of those represented in the gift are now "sweetly em- 
balmed and hid away in white." Those who survive 
will please accept the gratitude of the recipient, by 
whom their memory will ever be sacredly cherished. 

I returned to Washington via Harbor Creek, Penn., 
where I visited the bereaved family of my sister who 
died the previous October. Had I consulted my own 
ease or pleasure, I shou.ld have yielded to the earnest 
entreaties of those motherless boys, and remained with 
them while their loss was so fresh in memory and so 
keenly felt ; but duty pointed her finger to the thou- 
sands of sick and wounded in our hospitals, many of 
whom, like themselves, were boys in their teens, hav- 
ing been tenderly reared, each one some mother's dar- 
ling or some father's fond hope, far from home and its 
comforts, their young lives going out one after an- 
other in those distant hospitals, in the camp or on the 
field of carnage — and I could not turn a deaf ear to 
her call. Fifty dollars more, contributed by friends 
in Harbor Creek for soldiers, were added to the 
amount collected in Michigan. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 251 



CHAPTER XVIZ 



t 



FALL OP RICHMOIO) — SURRENDER OF LEE — ^MY RETURN TO WASH- 
INGTON — THE ILLUMINATION — THE ASSASSINATION OP THE 
PRESIDENT— HIS REMAINS IN STATE— FUNERAL OBSEQUIES 
— THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS UPON HIS LIFE AND MANY 
VIRTUES — HOSPITAL WORK IN WASHINGTON, ALEXANDRIA 
AND SURROUNDING CAMPS — THE ARMY RECALLED — THE 
MICHIGAN " HOME "—TRIP TO BALTIMORE AND ANNAPOLIS 
— ^HOSPITAL DISCONTINUED — THE GRAND REVIEW — CLOSING 
REFLECTIONS. 

I ARRIVED in "Washington tlie evening of the 13th 
of April, the night before that great national calamity, 
the assassination of our beloved President 

The evening of mj arrival there was a grand illumi- 
nation of the city in honor of our recent victories, 
which resulted in the fall of Eichmond, the surrender 
of Lee, and the overthrow of the rebellion. 

Lights gleamed from nearly every window — the 
White House was beautifully illuminated and gaily 
decorated with the stars and stripes — numerous small 
flags floated from the windows, while larger ones were 
festooned over the doors or proudly waved from lofty 
flag-staffs. ye starry emblems of liberty, what 
rivers of blood it has cost to maintain your honor I 



252 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

The stately Capitol, with its myriads of lights blaz- 
ing from its windows and surrounded with brilliant 
transparencies, looked indeed like a *' city set upon a 
hill, whose light cannot be hid." The streets were 
thronged with admiring spectators. The President, 
with the General-in-chief of our armies, rode up and 
down Pennsylvania avenue — alas! for the last time 
together — rejoicing that the dove had at last returned 
to the ark with the olive branch of peace. Every 
loyal heart beat high with hope, not only at the na- 
tional capital, but throughout the length and breadth 
of our land. The voice of praise and thanksgiving 
ascended to Him, who, ruling among the nations of 
the earth, as well as in the armies of heaven, had 
crowned the cause of right with victory. 

Mothers wept for joy for the " dear boys " who 
would soon "come marching home." Wives with 
anxious hearts anticipated the moment when they 
should welcome their heroic husbands' return. Chil- 
dren waited impatiently to hear " father's " well-known 
footstep. Even those who had not nothing to expect, 
whose dear ones were numbered with the slain, shared 
in the general joy. 

All were happy — the white man that the war was 
over, the black man that he was free. But this re- 
joicing is of short continuance. Treason calls for an- 
other victim — the country's foremost man and best. 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 253 

While the cHMren rejoice, the father himself is 
stricken down. The nation's life is sealed with the 
blood of its martyr head ! The fruit of those long 
years of toil will be reaped by others. The work for 
which he was raised up being accomplished, he enters 
into his rest; and this almost universal rejoicing is 
succeeded by a world-wide grief. On the night of the 
14th an assassin commits the dark and villainous deed 
that plunges the nation into the deepest woe! The 
next morning, at twenty-tv/o minutes past seven, the 
solemn tolling of bells announces the death of Abra- 
ham Lincoln I 

The following is an extract from my journal of 
April 15th, 1865: "Soon the sad tidings will be 
borne with the speed of lightning to the remotest 
part of our country and of the civilized world. 
The wild excitement which might be expected seems 
hushed to silence for want of words to express the 
deep emotions which stir the heart. Many anticipate 
a riot before morning. Strict orders have been issued 
from the War Department, death being the penalty of 
a traitorous sentiment uttered. No one is allowed to 
leave or enter the city. Trains have stopped running, 
except for the mail ; boats can neither land at nor 
leave the wharf. 

"J. Wilkes Booth — a stage-actor — is supposed to 
be the murderer. A large reward has been offered for 



254 THE BOYS TN WHITE. 

liis arrest. If lie is caught during the present state 
of excitement, the law will be robbed of its due, for 
the cry of every loyal heart is : ' Avenge the death 
of our President.' Washington, so recently decor- 
ated with flags, is now draped in mourning; those 
starry banners, but yesterday so proudly floating in 
the breeze, now droop at half-mast, and are wearing 
the emblems of woe. Only last evening the country 
was bewildered with joy; to-day the nation is bowed 
with a sorrow so great ' that the huge earth can scarce 
support it.' All nature mourns. Even the elements 
seem to share in the general gloom. Darkening clouds 
fill the heavens, and water the earth with their tears. 
Oh, can we believe that this black cloud which hangs 
over our national horizon has a ' silver lining ? ' Has 
this dark picture a bright side ? ISTo ray of sunshine 
is seen on its gloomy background. In the death of 
Abraham Lincoln the country has sustained an irre- 
parable loss. His place none can ever fill. A great 
and good man has fallen. In him were exemplified 
the true principles of Christianity : he was kind, mer- 
ciful, forgiving, and generous to a fault. How truth- 
fully has it been said, that ' he was great in goodness, 
and good in greatness.' Oh, how cruel ! after four 
years of trial and burden, such as none other ever 
bore, that Treason should take his precious life ; but 
he lived to see that victory, final and complete, had 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 255 

perclied upon our banner. If life consists in deeds, 
not years, how few have hved as long as he." 

* -x- -Jt -Jf -x- * 

It was mj sad privilege to see the remains of our 
lamented President twice while lying in state — once 
at the White House, and again at the Capitol. Em- 
blems of mourning were everywhere visible. Dark- 
ened rooms, with gas dimly burning, added to the 
oppressive gloom. Suppressed sobs and bursts of 
grief were heard, as one after another took the fare- 
well look of him they loved. Stgrong men, unaccus- 
tomed to tears, wept beside his bier. 

He was stricken down in the midst of his usefal- 
ness, at a time when the nation greatly needed his 
wise counsels and righteous administration. 

His funeral obsequies were observed in "Washing- 
ton, Wednesday, the 19th instant. The solemnities 
of the occasion I will not attempt to describe ; that 
has already been done by abler pens. That long pro- 
cession, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, 
with various bands ; the Marine Corps and band ; offi- 
cers of the army and navy; Congressmen; members 
of the Cabinet ; the Diplomatic Corps ; various orders 
and lodges ; Governors of States ; the clergy, of all 
denominations ; clerks from the different departments. 
and thousands of private citizens, all wearing the 
badge of mourning ; flags and banners, draped and at 



250 niE BOYS IN WHITE. 

half-mast; tlie dirge-like music; tlie tolling of bells 
and firing of guns — rendered it tlie most solemn scene 
ever witnessed on this continent. Kone but an eye- 
witness can form any adequate conception of that 
solemn pageantry. Thousands thronged the side- 
walks, windows, verandahs ; and trees were filled 
with weeping spectators. 

The morning of the 21st, the remains were removed 
to Baltimore, en route for his Western home and final 
resting-place. The busy world moves on, and, though 
we see his face no more, he will long live in the 
memory of a grateful people. History will love to 
record his virtues. His name will be handed down 
to future generations, linked with that of Washington, 
" and many iwll rise up and call him blessed." 

Well has it been said, that, "in the death of Abra 
ham Lincoln, the world has lost its greatest philan- 
thropist, the nation its purest patriot, the people their 
best and kindest friend. His life was the brightest 
page in our country's history, his death the nation's 
deepest sorrow." But he has left a bright reoord. 
Oh I that all, not only as a nation, but as individuals, 
might emulate his example, cultivate his virtues, live 
for Grod and humanity as did Abraham Lincoln. " He 
lived not only for a day, but for all time. His life 
was gentle, his death peaceful, his future all glory." 

In referring to my journal, I find, under date of 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 257 

April 21st, tlie following: "One week ago to-night 
tlie assassin's hand, was imbued in innocent blood, 
and, a few hours later, the great heart of Abraham 
Lincoln forever grew still I This is, surelj, a myste- 
rious dispensation of God's providence, and we are 
led to ask, *0h, Lord! why was it? ' Yet, while we 
mourn, it becometh us to bow in submission to Him 
who knoweth the end from the beginning, and, 
though he has permitted this wicked deed, we know 
that ' he is too wise to err ; ' that he ' worketh all 
things after the counsel of his own will,' causing 
even the wrath of man to praise him." 

I will here give an extract — which seems so appro- 
priate — taken from an oration delivered by Senator 
Foot on the death of Senator CoUamar, both of Ver- 
mont, and both now no more : " Abraham Lincoln — 
clarum nomen — the poor Kentucky boy, the martyr 
President, who had saved a country and redeemed a 
race — the martyr President, who, having saved his 
country from the greatest rebellion of all history, 
and redeemed a race from the bondage of centuries, 
falling by the assassin hand of Treason, went down 
to the grave amid a nation's tears, and amid a na- 
tion's requiem of wailing, yet bearing with him to 
the tomb more of the world's affections, more of its, 
sympathy, and 'more of its honors, too, than were 
ever accorded to other man, or prince, or potentate 



268 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

of earth, and whose highest eulogium is spoken in 
the universal lamentation." 

There was no time during the war that I experi- 
enced more fatigue in my work than the last three 
months. The reason, perhaps, was, that I had not 
fally regained my strength after my sickness at City 
Point. Then our hospitals were so scattered — several 
of them being situated in the extreme limits of the 
city — some of which were immensely large, contain- 
ing from seventy to eighty wards. Besides these, 
there were two extensive hospitals in Alexandria, 
viz. : Sough and Sickles' barracks. All the hospi- 
tals in that place were merged in these two. Then 
there was Fairfax Seminary, and a large hospital at 
Camp Stoneman. 

The field was large, but, with large supplies to 
draw from, and a well-filled treasury, we were ena- 
bled to accomplish a good work. About the middle 
of April, our Association established a " Home " for 
the benefit of Michigan soldiers. Here a large num- 
ber were daily fed, and many of them supplied with 
tobacco, stationery, etc. Our expenses were necessa- 
rily increased, and I hope the additional good ac- 
complished more than compensated for the extra ex- 
pense ; but I have always felt that more good would 
have been done had all our means gone to the di- 
rect relief of the sick and wounded in our hospitals 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 259 

and tlie surrounding camps. That good was accom- 
plished by the establishment of the " Jlome," no one 
can deny; but that more would have been done 
without it, I firmly believe. 

Early in May, the Association purchased a horse 
and buggy, which greatly facilitated my work, and 
enabled me to accomplish much more, with less fa- 
tigue, than before. 

Not long after this Mrs. Brainard returned from her 
work at the front. Washington was assigned her, and 
I was sent to Baltimore. I left my field of labor not 
without many regrets, for I had tried so hard to get 
my work reduced to anything like system, that I was 
loth to leave it ; besides, the army of the Potomac had 
been recalled. Sherman's troops were arriving; our 
hosjDitals were receiving every day new accessions to 
our already large numbers, and it did seem to me that 
Washington was the very place where the greatest 
good could be done ; but it was thought best for me 
to go, for a few days at least, and I did so. There 
were only five hospitals there at that time — one having 
been discontinu.ed a few days before my arrival, and 
two others soon after. I foimd about fifty Michigan 
soldiers in these hospitals, all of whom, except four, 
were convalescent. After supplying the wants of these, 
I went to Annapolis, visited St. John's hospital — the 
only one there at that time — where I found but two 



260 THE EOYS IN WHITE. 

Michigan soldiers, who were considered to be in a dan- 
gerous situation. One of these was sick with small- 
pox, and the other badly wounded in both hips. 
There seemed to be a great demand among the conva- 
lescents and paroled prisoners for tobacco, which I 
supplied them, also with stationery, and such articles 
of clothing as each was needing; besides giving to 
those without money a few shillings a piece. 

I returned to Baltimore the afternoon of the same 
day, without stopping at the camp of paroled prisoners 
as I had designed, for the rain was falling almost in 
torrents when the train passed through the camp ; con- 
sequently my contemplated visit to those poor paroled 
prisoners was never made — something I shall ever 
look back upon with regret. At Baltimore, I made 
another tour through the hospitals, distributing sundry 
articles, which I promised at my former visit, and then 
returned to "Washington, where a certain number of 
hospitals were assigned me as my special field of la- 
bor; yet I did not confine myself entirely to these, 
but made several visits to the surrounding camps with 
supplies, not only for those sick in the regimental hos- 
pitals, but also in their quarters. Soon the hospitals 
in the city began to be broken up, and before the 
close of the month of June, several were entirely dis- 
continued. I can never efiace from memory the feel- 
ings of loneliness experienced in passing through those 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 261 

empty hospitals. Each ward seemed like a haunted 
house, where the spirits of the departed still lingered. 
How suggestive even the number of these barracks or 
tents, many of which would bring to mind vivid recol- 
lections of painful scenes therein witnessed. In one, 
even now, I see the wasting form of Cyrus Cobb: a 
severe wound is sappi-ng the very fountain of life ; all 
his bright dreams of home, of that dear mother he so 
loved, and of whom he daily spoke, of other kindred 
and loved ones, of future plans and prospects, vanish 
at the approach of death ; but we trust he has entered 
a better than any earthly home — even an heavenly. 
Near his cot I see a lingering consumptive — a Mary- 
land soldier — the unnatural brilliancy of whose eye 
admonishes us all that the time of his departure is at 
hand. 

In another ward lies one, whose beaming coun- 
tenance indicates peace with Cod. The amputating 
knife has removed the shattered limb, but it avails 
nothing. When asked concerning his future pros- 
pects, " all bright," is his cheerful answer. Soon there 
is another vacant bed, and the brother returns with 
the remains, sad and lonely, to his home in Pennsyl- 
vania, while the departed one sweetly sleeps in Jesus. 
Here too is another who has given his strong right 
arm for his country ; he is convalescing, and is antici- 
pating a speedy return home. But the fatal fever 



2G2 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

seizes him, and, in a few days, William McCormick is 
no more. Thus I might continue to enumerate such 
instances for nearly every ward in our hospitals, but 
the memory of them is too painful. It is like living 
over again those days of sad experiences. 

"Through all rebellion's horrors. 
Bright shines our nation's fame ; 
Our gallent soldiers, perishing, 
Have left a deathless name." 

The grand review of the army took place on the 
23d and 24th of May. It was estimated that one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand (150,000) troops passed in 
review. It was a grand spectacle — a sight never 
before and never again to be witnessed on this conti- 
nent. 

Those gallant officers in full military uniform, 
mounted upon prancing steeds, galloping up the 
broad avenue ; the admiring crowd showering both 
horse and rider with beautiful wreaths and bouquets ; 
the graceful salute a la militaire ; the throwing up of 
hats, the waving of handkerchiefs and the loud huzzas 
that rent the air, made it an exciting scene. There 
was General U. S. Grant, the calm, self-possessed, 
heroic soldier, whose brow was crowned with the 
wreath of victory bravely won on a hundred battle- 
fields. There, too, was General Sherman, the invinci- 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 263 

ble, wTio lias yet to learn the meaning of tlie word 
defeat, and whose great " March to the Sea " has won 
the applause of an admiring world.. The brave and 
gallant Meade, who so long and well commanded the 
army of the Potomac, and who hastened the over- 
throw of the rebellion by turning the tide of battle at 
Gettysburg, was among the number. The hero of 
Winchester — GTeneral Phil. Sheridan — too, was there ; 
also that great cavalry rider, General Kilpatrick, 
with a corps of subordinate ofiicers — among them our 
own Custer, of whom we have been so proud. There 
was General Bumside, the noble, generous soldier, 
whose heroisms never shone on the victorious field 
with a brighter lustre than after the defeat at Fred- 
ericksburg; who, when efforts were being made to 
exonerate him from all blame, manfully stepped forth, • 
and, with a moral heroism less human than divine, 
confessed to the world that he alone was responsible 
for that defeat, acknowledged his inability to com- 
mand so large an army, and humbly asked to be 
relieved and assigned to a subordinate position. 
Afterwards, the old Mnth Corps, under his victorious 
leadership, covered itself with glory and honor. But, 
"in that bright constellation of noble heroes," none 
shone with a purer radiance — though perhaps with 
greater brilliancy — than that one-armed Christian 
soldier, Major-General O. O. Howard. 



264 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

*' O soldier with the empty sleeve, 
The nation gives you blessing. 
And woman's hand shall keep for you 
Its tenderest caressing." 

The navy was likewise largely represented by offi- 
cers of different rank, foremost among wliom was 
Admiral Farragut — once " lashed to the mast." The 
first day, the army of the Potomac — those heroes of 
so many battles — passed in review ; the next, Sher- 
man's grand columns. It would seem impossible for 
one to look back upon those war-worn veterans, those 
battle-scarred heroes, whose trusty swords, wielded by 
strong arms, had gotten us the victory and saved the 
life of the Eepublic, and hear their stately "tramp, 
tramp, tramp," for six successive hours, causing the 
earth to tremble beneath their firm tread, proudly 
bearing aloft their tattered banners, under which 
they had fought and their comrades fallen, without 
his heart swelling with emotions of deep gratitude and 
his eyes becoming dim with tears. Neither the ser- 
vices nor the hardships of the soldiers can ever be fully 
appreciated or estimated. Oh! those long fatiguing 
marches — the lonely picket post — the cold, damp 
bivouac — the scorching heat — the weary months spent 
in hospital — the loathesome confinement in prison- 
pens, those ante-chambers of hell, compared to which 
the meanest jail or penitentiary or almshouse was a 



THE BOYS IN WHrfB. 265 

paradise, and the exchange would have been hailed 
with far great joy than was the fairy isle of Calipso by 
the wrecked Tdleniaque, but the escape from which 
was a thousandfold more difficult than his from thia 
enchanted isle I 

In retrospecting the past, I find conflicting emotions 
alternately taking possession of my heart, emotions 
both of joy and sorrow. There are many pleasant 
remembrances connected with my ''army life;" but, 
all I there are also many sad reflections. My experi- 
ence, though varied, sometimes joyous and again 
heart-rending, I would not take a fortune for. Good 
opportunities were afforded for the study of that great- 
est of all studies, human nature. Every trait of the 
human heart might be detected, not only the evil pas- 
sions, but also the God-like virtues. There were 
many pleasures experienced in working for the sol- 
dier. It was pleasant to meet, not only old friends 
and acquaintances, but to form new ones. It was 
pleasant to see countenances light up as one entered 
the wards where the siek and wounded were lying. 
It was pleasant to know that your efforts, however 
humble, were gratefully appreciated — jesi, an hun- 
dredfold. And there was a melancholy pleasure even 
in administering to dying wants; but the best of all 
was the consciousness of doing good ; but the sad re- 
flections far outweigh all the pleasant experiences. It 



266 THE BOYS IN WHITE. 

16 sad 10 think of the desolate homes, of the broken 
family circles, of the lonely firesides, of the many sor- 
rowing ones all over our land. It is sad to think of the 
thousands of widowed wives and fatherless children, of 
so many loving mothers who wait in vain for the return 
of their darling boys, and of aged fathers who have 
none upon whom to lean, the staff of their declining 
years having been broken. It is sad to see so many 
crippled youth, so many empty sleeves. 

" Empty sleeves ! oh, sad reminders 

Of that long and dreary night, 
Mournful tokens of the battle, 

Saddest traces of the fight ; 
Telling us how heroes suffered 

For their country and the right. 

** But those empty sleeves are hallowed 
By the grave the battle leaves — 

Mournful pride and saddest glory, 
Noblest gift our land receives. 

Honor to those gallant heroes ! 
Honor to those empty sleeves 1 ** 

When we think of the untold millions spent, and 
the myriads of liv^es sacrificed in crushing out the re- 
bellion — for " from Western plain to ocean-tide are 
stretched the graves of those who died" — the price 
seems too costly. But how truthful the following : 



THE BOYS IN WHITE. 267 

" Some things are worthless, and others so good 
That nations who buy them pay only in blood." 

And only when we remember the grand result achiev- 
ed — "that the canker of death, dark slavery's stain," 
is wiped out forever, and our glorious Union main- 
tained — can we feel that the three hundred thousand 
graves where sleep the "Boys in White" were not 
made in vain. 

" Noble souls ! oh, how heroic 

Was the sacrifice they made. 
When the awful tide of treason 

By their own life-blood was stayed, 
And tlieir manhood's strength and glory 

On their country's altar laid. 

•• They have bought their country's freedom, 
Sealed with blood and "bitter pain ; 
They have fought, and they have suffered, 

But their work was not in vain : 
Over all our rescued country 
• Floats the starry flag again." 

But, as the rainbow of peace now spans the politi- 
cal horizon, may we not soon hope for the faliilment 
of the prophetic words of the immortal Lincoln, in the 
the closing paragraph of his first inaugural address ? 
" The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every 
battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart 



268 



THE BOYS IN AVHITE. 



and lieartli - stone all over our broad land, will yet 
swell the chorus of the Union, when touched, as 
they sui«ly will be, by the better angels of our 



nature. 





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